Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has completed a season-long loan move to Bayer Leverkusen.
The 21-year-old has not featured for the Blues this campaign while being named on the bench three times and he revealed conversations with former Leverkusen star Kai Havertz before opting to sign for the Bundesliga club.
He told the Bayer website: “The move to Germany is really exciting for me and I can play in the Champions League with Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
“That combination is really attractive and I'm keen to get to know the club, the fans and the Bundesliga. Kai Havertz only had good things to say about it to me in the Chelsea dressing room.”
Standard Sport reported last week that Hudson-Odoi had rejected interest from the Premier League, including from Newcastle and Southampton, plus Borussia Dortmund to join Leverkusen.
“We have signed a fast and penetrative winger in Callum Hudson-Odoi. He has everything to be able to help us immediately,” said sporting managing director Simon Rolfes.
“Callum has played over 100 games for Chelsea and proven himself in the Premier League as well as in the Champions League. This will give our attacking game another special component. We’re very happy this transfer has gone through.”