This SA Teen Just Became the Most Wanted Kid in Football

This South African Teen Just Became the Most Wanted Kid in Football

Photo Credit: Camden Schaper Instagram

From dusty fields in Benoni to elite pitches in England, Camden Schaper’s rise to football stardom is the feel-good story we didn’t know we needed.

Global (21 June 2025) – Every once in a while, a story comes along that makes you want to stand up and cheer… and this one has got South Africans smiling from ear to ear.

Camden Schaper, a 13-year-old football superstar-in-the-making from Benoni, is reportedly about to be signed by Chelsea. Yes, that Chelsea. The Premier League club. The one with global trophies and stadiums that echo with history. And it’s not just Chelsea that wanted him, according to reports, Manchester City, United, Arsenal, and Liverpool were all watching him closely, hoping to make a move. But it looks like Chelsea have snapped him up, reportedly offering around £700,000 (that’s roughly R17 million!) to secure the rising star.

Let that sink in. A 13-year-old from South Africa might just become one of the most expensive kids in the world of football right now.

But Camden’s story isn’t just impressive, it is absolutely inspiring.

This all started on the football fields of Benoni, where he began chasing a ball with more passion and skill than most adults have in their careers. He was part of the SuperSport United academy and made waves early on. In 2021, he captained their under-11 team through an unbeaten tour in Spain. Scouts were immediately intrigued. Soon, he was invited to Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. Then Manchester United noticed him too and brought him in for a training stint when he was just eight years old. The only thing that held him back was COVID. But even that didn’t stop his drive.

By 2023, his family packed up and moved to the UK so Camden could chase his dream. And he’s been absolutely smashing it. At Blackburn Rovers, he plays as an attacking midfielder and has been punching way above his age group, racking up a jaw-dropping 45 goals and 65 assists in a single season.

Word travels fast when you’re that good. Soon, the biggest clubs in the world were lining up to have a chat. Manchester City, where Camden’s younger brother Astin is already training as a goalkeeper, were seriously interested. United, Arsenal and Liverpool too. But Chelsea came in strong. And by the sounds of it, they weren’t messing around. Camden is expected to sign with them soon, and it’ll be a game-changer… not just for him and his family but for all the young South African kids who dare to dream about football boots and big stadiums.

If you’ve been online recently, you’ll have seen the reaction. South Africans are so proud. The comments, posts, and voice notes flying around are filled with joy, disbelief and pure love. It’s not every day a young teen from Benoni makes international headlines and gets the chance to play with the best of the best.

Parents are saying things like, “Look what’s possible when we support our kids.” Coaches are sharing old photos and stories. And the rest of us are just cheering loudly from the sidelines and hoping Camden knows the whole country is behind him.

Because we are.

What’s next? Well, if the reports are right, Camden will be moving to Chelsea’s youth setup very soon, where he’ll train with some of the brightest young talents in the world. There’s still a long road ahead, but he’s already shown that he’s willing to put in the work, to stay humble and to keep chasing those goals (literally and figuratively).

Camden’s story reminds us that good things do happen… and sometimes, they come from unexpected places. From the parks of Benoni to the pitches of England, he’s proving that South African talent belongs on the world stage.

Also, whatever is in the water in Benoni needs to be studied!