The latest release of information from the infamous Football Leaks allege that Chelsea offered a sum of £120,000 as a sign-on fee incentive for a goalkeeper who was just 12-years-old.
Karlo Ziger now plays for the Blues' youth set-up, though the leaks claim Chelsea agreed the payments for the Croatian youngster, who is now 17, including the initial £120K.
The claims have been brought forward by German publication Der Spiegel, who detail how the goalkeeper moved from his native Croatia to London and how - in the process - he seemed to disappear from playing records.
The documents go on to claim the Blues paid the rent on a house in London for him and his family until he turned 16 and was legally able to sign for Chelsea.
Der Spiegel wrote that, during an interview with a Croatian magazine, the player's father Darko said that the family had moved to London in early 2014.
Further admissions were made by the father that he was registered as a Chelsea employee during the process.
A residency permit issued to the player was identified by the leaks and seems to suggest the same.
Football Leaks also claim to have obtained an internal club spreadsheet which shows that Ziger trained with the Chelsea youth club on more than 250 days between 2014 and 2016.
The same Croatian magazine who spoke to Ziger's father, Nacional, state the overall cost of Chelsea acquiring the player was £808,000 and that Ziger's name suddenly vanished from the records of the Croatian Football Federation.
They purport that the last game he played with NK Zagreb was in September 2013. In February 2014, the goalkeeper was de-registered from the association.
Ziger next reappeared on football records when he was 16-years-old, and then an official player of Chelsea.
Croatian 'keeper Ziger and the deal surrounding his switch is believed to be part of Fifa's case against the Blues, which led to a two-window transfer ban commencing this summer.
Chelsea are still in the process of appeal against the ban, and stated: 'The club does not comment on speculation concerning confidential contracts or player-related matters.'
hoecmnu
1
Blues 4Life
Zabnotyz
1
Really it pain, but we deceive it. We loan lots of players, at the end some go 🆓 / sell them to a club that no one watch#
anamal
0
Since Abramovich, what world class players have come out of the Chelsea academy and become a first team regular? Seems most are loaned out and sold to lower league teams.
Shuntamallett
0
Damn, he might be able to complete a Panani album
tellmey
0
It’s always strange to me how we’re constantly banded about doing illegal matters yet there’s no culprits. Who arranged this? They need kicking out.
Deburey
0
Imagine getting into school the next day and telling all your mates on the playground
stsinner
2
Ban! Serve them right. Are they not keeper in London.
Jukbdilprt
3
Other fans and fifa dont want chelsea to prosper
Zacelmnosz
4
all this suffering and still no one has made it to first team or even assured of a first team post even odoi and Ruben I just wish Christensen I pray so no one so what's d use to sell and make profits how many good players have we sold above 50 million all rubbish instead we buy overcooked products dey come and spoil den we sell them half d price just imagine this wack board mtcheeeew
viscdeoptu
1
Remy
CrazyBlue
1
no worries even if UEFA upholds CAS will postpone the ban so we can buy players this summer[Bear]
Zozcsuyz
1
I pray the appeal works for our favor... BLUES FOR LIFE
sorry bro but what they did is illegal... they kinda deserve it..
Bumlnrst
3
I pray the appeal works for our favor... BLUES FOR LIFE