POOLE-BORN teenager Harry Rodda has signed for the academy of Chelsea.
Rodda, 16, joined Cherries under-9s back in 2016, staying for three years before being released.
Spells at Hamworthy United and Wimborne Town followed, enjoying particular success with the Magpies.
Rodda was spotted by Chelsea last season during Wimborne’s impressive run in the FA Youth Cup.
Magpies went all the way to the second round proper, defeating Millbrook, Gosport Borough, Havant & Waterlooville, Fareham Town and Newport County, before a 5-0 loss at Swindon Town.
It was the match against Fareham in October where a Chelsea scout was present.
Also during his time at Wimborne, Rodda featured for the club’s reserve team.
Rodda began his trial at Chelsea in December 2023, signing schoolboy terms later that month.
He made a partial move to Cobham, combining with his GCSE preparations at Poole High School.
Rodda was then offered a two-year scholarship in March, which began last week.
Matty Holmes, head of Wimborne’s development centre, said: “It’s great news for Harry to be joining Chelsea.
“From a development and academy perspective it is a real positive that our players are getting noticed and testament to all our coaching staff.”
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