Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi completes season-long loan deal with Bayer Leverkusen

Thomas Tuchel's team will have the option to recall winger in new year

Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi has joined Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan deal. PA

Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has completed a season-long loan move to Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.

Hudson-Odoi has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge under Thomas Tuchel and was an unused substitute in their last three Premier League games. He has suffered from lengthy injury problems since making his senior Chelsea debut in 2018, most notably an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him for five months.

He has not featured for Chelsea since an FA Cup win over Luton Town in March.

"The move to Germany is really exciting for me and I can play in the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen," Hudson-Odoi, who has played more than 100 times for Chelsea, said.

"That combination is really attractive and I'm keen to get to know the club, the fans and the Bundesliga."

On the club website, Bayer Leverkusen's sporting managing director Simon Rolfes described Hudson-Odoi as a "fast and penetrative winger".

"He has everything to be able to help us immediately," he said. "This will give our attacking game another special component. We're very happy this transfer has gone through."

Chelsea said in a statement that they have the option to recall Hudson-Odoi, who has won three England caps, in the new year.

“Hudson-Odoi will now have the chance to enjoy regular top-flight and European football at Leverkusen, who finished third in the Bundesliga last season and have been drawn in Group B of the Champions League, alongside Atletico Madrid, Bruges and Porto," the statement added.

Hudson-Odoi, who is under contract at Chelsea until 2024, has previously been linked with moves to Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

The London-born player is a product of Chelsea's junior system, having joined the club at the age of seven.

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