Ethan Ampadu

Chelsea

On 1 July 2017, Ampadu signed a contract with Premier League club Chelsea. The two clubs had entered negotiations over a compensation fee for the player in an attempt to reach a fee that both found acceptable for the then 16-year-old. Yet, in November 2017, Exeter City chairman Julian Tagg said that, whilst there was still a positive relationship between the two clubs, there was also a "massive disparity" in both clubs' valuation of the player. It was set to go to a tribunal.

On 20 September 2017, Ampadu made his debut for Chelsea in an EFL Cup third round match against Nottingham Forest, coming on in the 55th minute for Cesc Fàbregas. Doing so made him the first player born in the 2000s to play for the Chelsea senior team. At 17 years and six days old, he also became the youngest player to debut for the club in over ten years. On 12 December 2017, he made his Premier League debut for Chelsea, coming on as a substitute against Huddersfield Town in the 80th minute. In September 2018, he signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea.

Loan spells Ampadu warming up before the UEFA Europa League final against Arsenal. In July 2019, new manager Frank Lampard confirmed that Ampadu would spend the 2019–20 season out on loan at another club. In that period, Ampadu joined Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on a season-long loan deal. On 7 September 2020, Ampadu joined fellow Premier League club Sheffield United on a season-long loan. He played 29 games in all competitions for the Blades, who were relegated at the end of the season. On 31 August 2021, Ampadu joined Serie A club Venezia on a season-long loan after signing a new three-year deal with Chelsea. Venezia were relegated at the end of the season.

On 1 September 2022, Ampadu joined Serie A club Spezia on a season-long loan. Spezia finished the season in 17th place, meaning they had to play Hellas Verona, the 18th placed team, in a one-off relegation play-off in Sassuolo's Mapei Stadium. Ampadu scored the equaliser for Spezia, scoring his first goal in the professional game in the process, but he could not prevent a 3–1 loss.

Leeds United Ampadu warming up prior to Leeds United's match against Fulham on 13 September 2025.

On 19 July 2023, Ampadu joined Championship club Leeds United on a four-year contract, for a reported fee of £7m plus performance-related add-ons. On 6 August 2023, he made his debut for the club in a 2–2 draw against Cardiff City. On 7 January 2024, he scored his first two goals for Leeds United in a 3–0 win over Peterborough in a third round FA Cup tie.

On 23 July 2024, Ampadu was named as the club's captain. As captain, during the 2024–25 season, Ampadu was promoted to the Premier League with Leeds and won the EFL Championship title. He also won the 2024–25 PFA Community Champion award for his community service work, which included community visits and participating in educational initiatives during the season.

Ampadu scored his first league goal with Leeds United in a 4–1 win against Crystal Palace on 20 December 2025. On 4 June 2026, he extended his contract with the club until 2030.

International career

Ampadu plays internationally for the Wales national football team. He qualifies for Wales through his Welsh mother. He was previously also eligible to represent England, Republic of Ireland and Ghana.

On 26 May 2017, at the age of 16, Ampadu was called into the senior Wales squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Serbia. He was called up again on 1 November 2017 for friendlies against France and Panama, and made his debut aged 17 on 10 November 2017 against France at the Stade de France, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Joe Ledley in a 2–0 defeat.

In May 2021, Ampadu was selected for the Wales squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. On 20 June, in the 55th-minute of Wales' 1–0 defeat to Italy, he received a straight red card for a late challenge on Federico Bernardeschi, becoming the youngest player to receive one at the European Championships. In November 2022, he was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Chelsea FA Cup: 2017–18 UEFA Europa League: 2018–19

Leeds United EFL Championship: 2024–25

Individual Wales Young Player of the Year: 2016 EFL Championship Team of the Season: 2023–24 PFA Team of the Year: 2023–24 Championship The Athletic Championship Team of the Season: 2023–24