TWTD.co.uk has learnt that US midfielder Devann Yao spent last week on trial with the Blues.

The 19-year-old wideman is a free agent, having previously spent time as a youth player in France, Italy and Scotland.

Yao, born in New York to an Ivorian father and Italian mother, which qualifies him for an EU passport, was with French side Metz's youth academy for three seasons having joined them at 13.

A year in Italy playing in the reserves with Livorno and Pisa was followed by a short spell in Scotland with St Mirren's youth set-up before he returned to the US, where he has spent time on trial with the New York Red Bulls.