FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Tudor Mendel-Idowu has signed for Anderlecht on a free transfer.
Barcelona had a verbal agreement in place to sign the youngster before the Belgian club swooped in to hijack the deal.
Tudor Mendel-Idowu has signed for AnderlechtGetty
The youngster has penned a three-year contract with Anderlecht, with the option of an extra year.
Mendel-Idowu, 18, impressed for various Blues youth sides but he failed to make the step up to the first team despite his early promise.
Despite that, he is still one of the most interesting players to come through the Chelsea academy in recent years.
That is because he is one of the most intelligent footballers around.
Mendel-Idowu was a star pupil at the prestigious Eton College, where Prince William and Harry attended.
He was even a King’s Scholar – meaning he was one of the most academically gifted boys in the country.
And in 2014 he was put to the test – but for his brain rather than his football skills as he took part in Child Genius of the Year, which featured on Channel 4.
Mendel-Idowu finished second in the competition out of 20 participants, including his older sister.
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The youngster is now focused on the next chapter of his career and is hoping to make a success of his spell in Belgium.
He said after signing for Anderlecht: “It’s really exciting to be here. I was fascinated by the sporting project that both Jesper and Mikkel presented.
“I’m looking forward to making my mark at this beautiful club.”
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