Feruz Agrees Chelsea Deal

Celtic starlet Islam Feruz has agreed to join Chelsea, his agent has confirmed to skysports.com.

Feruz has just turned 16, but instead of signing a first professional contract at Parkhead he is instead moving south to England.

The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers have all been linked but Chelsea have always been leading the chase and they have secured a deal.

The Somalian-born forward, who has been capped by Scotland at youth level, has agreed terms with Chelsea and Celtic will be due training compensation.

"It is a massive step for Islam and for Scottish football," his agent Rui Alves told skysports.com.

"Now for him personally it is the beginning of a major adventure, he will have to work, work and work and raise his own level.

"Playing for a top club like Chelsea, where the major word in the squad is quality, will oblige him to show his own quality and deliver his best and convince the staff that he is more than just a major prospect."

Alves admits that there was little doubt he would join Chelsea after they impressed him so much.

"The first impression was extraordinary, it is a feeling that the whole club is behind him, they will support him on a daily basis and give him total trust and make him believe," he continued.

He confirmed that Chelsea fended off interest from around Europe to land Feruz, adding: "It was not just every club in the Premiership but also most big clubs in Europe who were tracking him. He is the one serious player in Scotland at the moment."

Feruz has been described as the Scottish 'Wayne Rooney' but Alves insists those comparisons are not accurate.

"Islam is a totally different player than Rooney - he is explosive with an amazing strength and good strike, but due to his speed he can also play on both wings," he said.

"But like Rooney, Islam doesn't cheat, you won't see him crying on the floor begging for cards or arguing with referees and I believe he will raise his level very, very fast."

Alves did, though, confirm Feruz will continue to pledge his international allegiance to Scotland and will not forget what Celtic did for him.

"He is looking forward to starting his career with Chelsea, but he would love to thank Celtic for all they did for him and his parents, he is Scottish and will one day score goals for Scotland."