CHELSEA has secured one of the top 15-year-olds in the nation.

If he can emulate his father’s legacy – a true cult hero for Arsenal – then acquiring him from Watford will undoubtedly be validated.

Mathis Eboue joins Chelsea after a rapid rise at Watford

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Mathis Eboue joins Chelsea after a rapid rise at WatfordCredit: Instagram
Dad Emmanuel Eboue, bottom left, was with Arsenal for seven years

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Dad Emmanuel Eboue, bottom left, was with Arsenal for seven yearsCredit: Getty

Mathis Eboue, an attacking midfielder, has shown exceptional talent at Watford, rising to under-21 level.

His move to Chelsea highlights how Chelsea is actively pursuing the nation’s top young talents for their academy.

Eboue Junior has also represented England at the U-16 level on three occasions.

Notably, he netted the only goal in a triumph against France, helping the Lion Cubs clinch the U16 Challenge Trophy in Spain just two months ago.

However, his achievements at such a young age are still a long way from what his father accomplished during his lengthy career.

Emmanuel Eboue, now 41, made 79 appearances for the Ivory Coast, mainly as a right-back.

His most significant recognition came from his time with Arsenal from 2004 to 2011.

The legendary former manager Arsene Wenger brought the fast player over from Belgian club Beveren.

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While it took Eboue some time to establish himself as a regular, his lively character and dynamic runs won the hearts of fans.

At one point, however, he was met with boos from Arsenal supporters.

I was sacked as a factory worker, the next day I had trials at Arsenal – I was gobsmacked

Just last month, he recounted: “I returned home in tears.

“But shortly after, some fans came to the club to apologize to me. That gesture was incredibly kind and meant a lot.

“‘Eboue, don’t listen,’ they said. ‘You know we care about you’.”

His time at Arsenal ended with him receiving a runners-up medal in the Champions League and two in the League Cup, before he joined Galatasaray for four years.

This was followed by a brief period at Sunderland.

In 2016, Eboue Senior faced a year-long ban for not paying an agent, which he described as the “lowest point” of his football career.

However, nearly eight years later, he can take pride in his son’s remarkable progress.

The Premier League implemented strict measures to protect young players before Eboue Junior’s transition to Chelsea could be finalized.

Compensation for Watford also had to be negotiated.

But by Friday night, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that all paperwork was completed, marking it as a “completed deal”.