Gabriel Slonina was finally able to pull on a Chelsea shirt yesterday, five months after being signed by the club.
Slonina started in goal for the Under-21s on Friday evening as they took on Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 18-year-old was making his debut as a Blue, having been acquired from Chicago Fire in August.
Chicago Fire kept hold of the young goalkeeper until their domestic season concluded.
Once the MLS came to a stand-still, the American left his homeland for the bright lights of London.
He had been training with Graham Potter’s first-team for a few weeks, and even travelled with the squad for the FA Cup fixture away to Manchester City, before breaking his duct for the academy side.
His first appearance for Chelsea couldn’t have gone much better.
Mark Robinson’s young group claimed a 2-0 victory on home soil, their third straight Premier League 2 triumph in a row.
Goals from Mason Burstow and Dion Rankine ensured the youthful Blues remained right in the hunt for the league title.
Down the other end, Slonina kept the team’s third clean sheet in a row on a night he will never forget.
To ensure the memory was saved forever, the teenager uploaded a celebratory post to Instagram not long after the full-time whistle.
“Proud to make my Chelsea debut with the U21 squad,” wrote Slonina.
“Honor to wear this shirt, and even better to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 Victory. Well done boys.”
Hopefully this will be the first of many for you, Gabriel!
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