Chelsea confirm Ethan Ampadu to Leeds United transfer as Pochettino handed new funds

Chelsea have confirmed that Ethan Ampadu has left the club to join Championship side Leeds United, ending a six-year association with the Blues.

The Wales international made 12 appearances for the first team after making his move from Exeter City as a youngster, joining as an academy prospect. Those included three matches in the Europa League in 2018/19, where the west London club went on to win the competition.

His time since those few appearances have shown great promise, but there has also been plenty of poor fortune mixed in too. The Wales international joined RB Leipzig on loan in 2019/20 but only made seven appearances before joining Sheffield United the season after.

The Blades had impressed in their return to the Premier League a year prior, but the campaign after saw them struggle to repeat the feat and they were subsequently relegated. A loan to Italy with Venezia was next up, but they also ended up in the drop zone back to Serie B.

Ampadu's latest spell was with Spezia, but as has become a pattern in recent loans, they were relegated on the final day despite a strike from the youngster that gave them hope. With a whole host of changes in the squad this summer, an exit from Stamford Bridge seemed increasingly likely.

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The Blues are claimed to be receiving an initial £7million for the transfer that could rise between £10million and £12million, with former club Exeter set to receive 20 percent of the deal. Ampadu discussed the move with LUTV shortly after joining, heaping praise on his new club.

“I think as a club, the history doesn’t have to be sold. Everyone knows how big of a club Leeds United is. Obviously we are now