Who is Billy Gilmour? 15-year-old midfielder signed by Chelsea from Rangers – all you need to know

CHELSEA have won the race to sign Rangers wonderkid Billy Gilmour.

The 15-year-old was being chased by a whole host of Europe’s elite, but has chosen Stamford Bridge after they wooed him and his family with VIP treatment.

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Gilmour has been promoted to training with Rangers’ first team this season – but who is and what is his fledgling story to date? Read on…

Who is Billy Gilmour?

Born in Ayrshire on 11 June 2001, the midfielder has made everyone feel rather old with his rapid rise to stardom.

Joining Rangers as a young boy, his abilities stood out extremely quickly for club and country.

It did not take long for Barcelona to send their top youth talent spotter to watch him play for Scotland under-16s last year.

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And he must be highly rated – he is already sponsored by major sportswear brand Adidas.

Has Billy Gilmour played for Rangers’ first XI?

Not quite, but nearly – which is incredible in itself for a 15-year-old, who has been promoted to training with the first team and been given a squad number.

But stand-in boss Graeme Murty revealed he was “very, very close” to becoming the club’s youngest ever debutant last month.

Murty, since replaced, included Gilmour in his matchday squad for Scottish Cup ties against Morton and Hamilton.

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Which clubs were keen on signing Billy Gilmour?

Aside from Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barca were just some of the clubs that wanted to snap the Scottish whizzkid up.

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Why is Chelsea the one for Billy Gilmour?

In January this year, SunSport exclusively revealed how Arsenal stepped up their bid to try to pinch Gilmour from under the noses of Chelsea by giving him the VIP treatment.

But reports claim a visit to Chelsea’s Cobham training complex convinced the Gers youngster to sign on with Antonio Conte’s Premier League pacesetters.

Negotiations have now been concluded leaving the door open to rivals and giving Rangers hope of holding on to him.

The London club will have to fork out a whopping £500,000 to Gers.

But he won’t be able to move until he is 16 – on June 11.