Wales international Ethan Ampadu has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea, the Premier League club have announced.

Ampadu signed from Exeter City in July 2017 with the fee of up to £2.5million agreed by tribunal in April.

The defender or midfielder, who turned 18 last week, has impressed since moving to Stamford Bridge.

“I’m really proud and happy, I’m looking forward to the next five years,” said Ampadu, who made his international bow for Wales in friendlies against Panama and France at the end of 2017.

He started against the Republic of Ireland and Denmark in Wales’ recent UEFA Nations League outings during the international break – the competitive games ended speculation that Ampadu could yet choose to represent England, or even Ghana, the country of his father’s birth.

Ampadu has made seven Chelsea appearances to date and is certain to get further opportunities this season under Maurizio Sarri.

The Welshman could be involved in Thursday’s Europa League clash at PAOK in Greece.

“All I have got to do now is continue to work hard, and hopefully good things will happen,” Ampadu added.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “Ethan has shown great potential and unbelievable maturity since arriving at Chelsea a year ago.

“In this short time he convinced a lot of people with his exceptional quality and mentality and we look forward to watching him develop into a key player for the club over the coming years.”

Ampadu made his debut aged 17 years and six days in the League Cup win over Nottingham Forest and became the first player born this millennium to start for Chelsea in the next round against Everton.

Ampadu recently earned the praise of Wales boss Ryan Giggs, the Manchester United great, who predicted the teenager would become a “magnificent player”.