^{Images via Chelsea FC}

Lexi Potter has signed a three-year contract with Chelsea, making her the youngest professional women’s football player in England at 17-years-old.

The teenager has been with the WSL champions since she was eight, and will spend the coming season on loan at Crystal Palace. While she’s the youngest to go pro in England, leagues around the world have been giving kids their big break for years.

San Diego Wave’s Melanie Barcenas became the youngest player in the NWSL at only 15-years-old this past March, beating Washington Spirit’s Chloe Ricketts to the record by a matter of days. Colombian stargirl Linda Caicedo made her professional debut at 14.

On the international stage, Casey Phair became the youngest player to ever take the field at a Women’s World Cup this summer, turning 16 less than a month before the tournament started.

There is no denying the incredible amount of talent climbing up the ranks at clubs across the country. English academies have already produced the likes of Lauren James, Georgia Stanway and Chloe Kelly. Through her new contract, Potter could be paving the way for more youngsters to get that opportunity in the future.

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