Just days after making his debut for Premiership team Chelsea, Year 11's Jonathan Muleba has won a contract with them.
Jonathan, aged 16, has earned a two-year ‘scholar’ contract with Chelsea – a major step towards becoming a professional footballer. After hearing the news, he said: “I’m really thrilled and my parents are pleased for me, too.”
He was spotted by a Chelsea scout as a result of representing Bishop Challoner and Tower Hamlets as well as playing Sunday league football.
A member of the club’s Academy, Jonathan now steps up his involvement at the club to two days a week.
At the end of October, he made his debut at right back in the Chelsea Under-18 side which lost 4-0 to Crystal Palace. Despite this, the club's Youth Team Coach Adi Viveash told Chelsea's official website:  "Jon Muleba on his youth team debut as a schoolboy was outstanding."
Mr Whittaker from the school’s PE & Healthy Living Department said: “Jonathan is a model sportsman – hard-working, polite and he always conducts himself in a professional manner. Many congratulations to him.”