Chelsea Football Club has "apologised profusely" to former striker Gary Johnson, who was sexually abused while a youth-team player at the London club in the 1970s.
In a statement, Chelsea said Mr Johnson had "suffered unacceptably" and that it had "no desire to hide any historic abuse we uncover from view."
The club said an external review would examine whether it carried out a proper investigation when the allegations first came to light, and why it did not report them to the Football Association and Premier League.
"We are fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children and young people who are in our care or attending our premises," the club statement read.