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Chelsea are closing in on a deal for 16-year-old American wonderkid Vicente Garcia, as reported by The Athletic.
The young midfielder, who inked a homegrown contract with LA Galaxy back in January 2025 at just 14 years of age, currently features for Ventura County FC, the Galaxy's reserve outfit, though he is set to link up with the MLS club at the start of 2027. He would then make his way to Stamford Bridge upon reaching 18 for an expected fee of $3 million (£2.25 million), plus potential add-ons.
Garcia's agreement comes hot on the heels of fellow American teen talent Benji Flowers, who is also destined for Chelsea when he turns 18. FC Dallas, who tied Flowers down to a homegrown deal just last month, struck an agreement with the Blues for the 15-year-old at an initial fee of roughly $3 million (£2.25 million), with add-ons potentially pushing the total to around $10 million (£7.5 million). Much like Garcia, Flowers is currently developing his game with Dallas's reserve side—North Texas SC—in MLS Next Pro, a competition in which he made his debut at 14 back in March.
Both youngsters have represented the United States at U-15 level, receiving several international call-ups.
Chelsea's History of Signing American Wonderkids
Chelsea have previous form when it comes to looking toward MLS for promising young talent.
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American goalkeeper Gabriel "Gaga" Slonina, now 22, made the move to Chelsea from the Chicago Fire in 2022 for a reported base fee of $10 million, just months after celebrating his 18th birthday. Since crossing the Atlantic to west London, Slonina has featured for the club's U-21 side and completed loan spells in Belgium and England's League One—a path that Garcia and Flowers may well follow once they arrive at Chelsea.
Slonina was part of the Chelsea squad that claimed the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup last summer on U.S. soil, and most recently appeared in Chelsea's friendly against Johor Darul Ta'zim, coming off the bench in the second half of a 3–3 draw against the Malaysian side.
American defender Caleb Wiley, now 21, joined the Blues from Atlanta United in the summer of 2024 at age 19 for a reported $11 million fee. He similarly endured an injury-hit loan period, turning out for both Strasbourg and Watford before returning to Chelsea in January. He is anticipated to head out on loan once more in a bid to revive his career.