Devon's Ethan Ampadu starts for Wales

Ethan Ampadu will become only the second Devon-born players to feature in a FIFA World Cup tonight. The Chelsea star has been named in Wales boss Rob Page’s line-up for their opener against the USA.

Ampadu becomes the first Exeter City academy graduate to feature at a World Cup. He follow Plymouth-born Trevor Francis, who scored twice for England at the 1982 World Cup, in featuring in the tournament

Torquay-born Kieffer Moore could become the third having only been named among the substitures. In the opening Group B fixture, England hammered Iran 6-2. Goals from Jude Bellingham, two from Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, and Jack Grealish gave Gareth Southgate's men an easy victory to kick-off their campaign in style.

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Kieffer Roberto Francisco Moore attended King Edward VI Community College in Totnes growing up. The nomadic striker started playing football for Torquay United's youth set-up until the age of 12, before he started playing for Paignton Saints.

His prolific record there saw him move on to Truro City in Conference South, before moving on to Dorchester Town. During this time, he combined his football with jobs as a lifeguard and personal trainer.



Moore then moved on to Yeovil Town for an undisclosed fee, but was released at the end of the 2014–15 season following their relegation to League Two. He then made a surprise move to Norway, signing for Viking on a one-year deal.

Following trials with Exeter City and Leyton Orient, Moore signed for Forest Green Rovers in early 2016. Stints at Torquay, Ipswich Town, Rotherham United and Barnsley followed, before signing for Wigan in 2019.

The 30-year-old then signed for Cardiff City in 2020 following the Latics' relegation from the Championship, before moving to Bournemouth in January 2022 to help them back into the Premier League, so far scoring eight goals in 19 appearances for the Cherries.

Growing up in Exeter, Ampadu progressed through his local club's academy, breaking records along the way, becoming the club's youngest ever player, aged 15 years 10 months and 26 days, when he debuted in August 2016.

After another impressive season which saw him play 13 times for City, Ampadu signed for then Premier League Champions Chelsea in the summer of 2017. He has since made 12 appearances for Graham Potter’s men, but has spent most of his time on loan.

Spells out on loan at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United and Venezia have been followed by a move to Spezia this season, having also earned 37 caps for Wales.

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