CHELSEA have beaten both Juventus and Inter Milan to the signing of highly-rated teenager Jimi Tauriainen.
The 16-year-old winger is the son of former Finland international Pasi Taurianen and has been on the radar of the continent’s top clubs.
Both Italian giants had the starlet on trial with teams in Germany also offering an invite to train with them.
But it is Frank Lampard’s Chelsea that have won the race for his service.
Tauriainen is joining the Blues on a three-year contract from HJK Helsinki.
Described as a “strong, fast winger” and a “free-kick expert”, the hotshot has been tipped for a big future.
He has already begun making his impact on the international stage, netting four goals in six caps for Finland’s Under-16s.
And as well as him and his father, his 18-year-old brother is currently playing for Freiburg in Germany.
Tauriainen has been at HJK for four years and will not officially leave them for Stamford Bridge until the summer.
That has not stopped him from already posing with his new employer’s shirt bearing his name next to Lampard.
And it is believed the Blues boss’ focus on youth was a key factor in convincing the ace to head to London.
