I must admit, I had completely forgotten that back in February of last year (2025), Chelsea and Corinthians had agreed the future transfer of Denner Alves Evangelista Pereira, or just Denner if you’re into the whole brevity thing. As in similar deals for the likes of Estêvão or Dastan Satpayev, the transfer would only become complete after the player turned 18, to still meet FIFA’s easily-circumventable international transfer rules.
That day has now arrived — Denner turned 18 in February in fact — with
the official website confirming his arrival. The young left back has joined the U21 side (i.e. “Cobham Next Gen”). Chelsea have paid a transfer fee in the region of €8-10m, according to reports, with a further €4m in potential bonuses. Corinthians are said to have retained a sell-on percentage.
In the year and a half since the transfer was agreed, Denner unfortunately hasn’t done much. He played for Corinthians’ U20 side as a 16-year-old already, but suffered a meniscus injury in his right knee, which has kept him out for the past twelve months. Apparently, he did most of his rehab at Cobham under Chelsea’s supervision already.
In any case, welcome, Denner; hope to see you thrive in Blue!
P.S.: In further Academy transfer news, goalkeeper Ted Curd has re-joined Boreham Wood on loan for the second straight season. Curd made 33 appearances for The Wood last year, including in the final of the National League Cup, which they would win in a penalty shootout. They fell just short of getting out of non-league as well, losing in a most dramatic promotion playoff final to Rochdale.
Good luck, Ted!
