Kenneth Omeruo receives “special talent” work permit for The Blues.
Nigeria prodigy Kenneth Omeruo has been contracted to Chelsea for a year but can now play in the English Premier League after being handed a work permit.
A Chelsea official told MTNFootball.com: “Kenneth has been granted a five-year work permit by the British Home Office. It’s a big breakthrough.”
The Pensioners have supposedly played their “special talent” card – the same used to get Mikel Obi in 2006 – to guarantee the 19-year-old defender’s application was approved.
Omeruo is expected to start training with the reserves next week until the first team return from their pre-season tour of USA.
The youngster has established himself as the core of Nigeria’s back-line ever since his full international debut at the beginning of this year.
The former U17 and U20 defender was an integral cog in the Super Eagles’ African Cup of Nations campaign as they became champions for only the third time
Whether this work permit will see him feature in Jose Mourinho’s first team plans for the 2013/14 season is yet to be seen; he could well benefit from being loaned out to another EPL side, just as Romelu Lukaku did last season.
Omeruo was loaned out at Dutch club Ado Den Haag last season, making 36 appearances and scoring twice.
COMMENTS