Ethan Ampadu joins Venezia FC

Venezia FC is pleased to announce the signing of Wales international defender Ethan Ampadu, 20, on loan from Chelsea FC.

Ampadu came through the youth academy of Exeter City FC, and made his professional debut in an EFL Cup match in August 2016 at age 15, which made him the youngest player to ever appear for the club. Ampadu went on to make a total of 12 appearances between League Two and the EFL Cup in the 2016/17 season, which led Chelsea to sign him in July 2017.

In his first season with Chelsea, Ampadu earned his Premier League debut, coming on as a substitute in a win at Huddersfield Town in December 2017, and also made three appearances in the FA Cup, including a 90-minute appearance in a 4-0 win over Hull City in the Fifth Round Proper, with Chelsea eventually going on to lift the trophy. The following season, Ampadu made five more first team appearances, two in the FA Cup plus three in the Europa League, with Chelsea going on to win that competition as well.

Chelsea loaned Ampadu to RB Leipzig for the 2019/20 season, with Ampadu making three appearances in the Bundesliga and three appearances in the UEFA Champions League, including a 90-minute appearance in a 1-0 win at Tottenham in the Round of 16.

Last season, Chelsea again sent Ampadu on loan, this time to Sheffield United, and Ampadu would become a regular in the team, making 25 appearances (23 starts) in the Premier League plus three appearances (all starts) in the FA Cup.

At international level, Ampadu has earned 26 caps for the Wales senior national team, including three appearances at UEFA Euro 2020 last summer.

Welcome, Ethan.