Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (born 23rd January 1996 in London, England) is a midfielder currently playing in Chelsea's Academy.

Pre-Chelsea career
Ruben joined Chelsea's academy at Under-8 and has been with the club his entire career.

Chelsea career
Ruben made his Under-18 debut at the back end of the 2010-11 season after struggling with injury for much of the campaign, and started the 2011-12 season as a regular in Adrian Viveash's team. He scored his first goal for the youth team away to Newcastle United in August 2011 and went on to grab nearly half a dozen in the first half of the campaign. However, he would miss much of the second half of the season with a hip injury and was only fit to return to action in the Second Leg of the 2011–12 FA Youth Cup Final against Blackburn Rovers.

He began the 2012-13 season by mixing between Under-21 and Under-18 football, whilst becoming a fixture in the team for the NextGen Series, where he would end up a losing finalist. He also became a lynchpin of yet another FA Youth Cup team, pairing successfully with Lewis Baker in central midfield as the Blues once again went all the way to the final, only this time to lose.

2012-2013
Ruben signed a two and a half year professional deal on his 17th birthday. The deal runs to the end of the 2014-15 season.

At the end of what was undoubtedly a productive season, Ruben was named in a first team touring party for two friendlies against Manchester City in the United States. He was given a start in both games, wearing the number 33 short, and impressed greatly on both occasions.

International
Ruben was called up twice by England at Under-16 level during 2010-11 but had to withdraw injured on both occasions. Upon his selection in October 2011, he was named captain and played in the Victory Shield opener against Northern Ireland before scoring in the next match at home to Wales, underlining his credentials as one of the best prospects in the squad.

He made the step up to the Under-17 ranks in the 2012-13 season and scored his first goal at that level during the European Championship Qualifiers against Northern Ireland.

Career statistics
Chelsea's Youth, Reserve and Under-21 Football

(Statistics accurate as of the end of the 2012-13 season)

Career honours

 * 2011 Sky Sports Victory Shield (England Under-16s)
 * 2011–12 FA Youth Cup