Former Sheffield Wednesday youngster makes international debut after January transfer exit
Yisa Alao joined Chelsea from Sheffield Wednesday back in January after climbing the rungs of the Owls youth ladder.
Former Sheffield Wednesday youngster Yisa Alao made his international debut by featuring for England’s Under-18s in a 2-1 win over Greece on Thursday.
Alao, who left Hillsborough in January to join Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, came on as a second half substitute as the Three Lions youngsters won by the odd goal in three via strikes from Dean Benamar and Jeremy Monga at the Dasaki Achnas Stadium in Cyprus.
Alao, who was not originally named in the squad for the Under-18s’ final trip of the season, was introduced from the bench with 57 minutes on the clock, replacing Manchester City youngster Reigan Heskey, who is the younger brother of former Wednesday loanee Jaden.
The scoreline was locked at 1-1 prior to Alao’s introduction, but England got their noses back in front with 12 minutes to go when Leicester City youngster Monga grabbed the winner.
Alao, who made five first-team appearances for Wednesday prior to his exit earlier this year, was not named in the original squad that was due to travel to Cyprus. However, alongside Chelsea teammate Dante Waite, he was called-up to Ben Futcher’s squad after Chelsea’s Landon Emenalo and Godwill Kukonki of Manchester United dropped out.
England’s youngsters are in action again on Sunday, facing Cyprus at the same venue, and Alao will not doubt be hungry to secure a first start after sampling his first taste of international football.
The left-back, who impressed in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Brentford in the FA Cup third round at Hillsborough in January, signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge, keeping him at Chelsea until the summer of 2028.
At the time of his departure, Wednesday said: “The transfer includes a substantial upfront payment. Along with further protections to ensure the club benefits should Yisa go on to fulfil the potential he has shown.
“These include performance-related payments and a significant sell-on arrangement. All financial terms will remain undisclosed.”
Alao, last week, helped Chelsea win the Under-18 Premier League national title by stepping off the bench in a 5-1 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. The Londoners had already won the Under-18 Premier League South title and went up against City, who won the northern title, to decide the overall champions.
Alao, 17, has made eight appearances for Chelsea’s Under-18s thus far.