Chelsea teenager Ethan Ampadu will spend next season on loan in Germany at Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.
The 18-year-old, who can play either as a centre-back or as a defensive midfielder, featured just five times last season under former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri.
Current Chelsea manager Frank Lampard revealed recently he tried to sign Ampadu on loan in January when he was in charge at Derby.
The move to RB Leipzig will be Ampadu's first loan spell since his arrival at Stamford Bridge from Exeter two years ago, and he will taste Champions League football after Leipzig .
"I am very happy to be at RB Leipzig and start the season with the team," said Ampadu. "I want to get to know the team as quickly as possible and integrate myself.
"I've been following and seeing how fantastic young players have developed here over the last few years and what potential there is in this club.
"So, it's the perfect step for me."
Lampard confirmed to move as the team arrived in the Far East on their pre-season tour, saying: "I tried to sign Ethan on loan at Derby last year so I’m a big fan, but with the minutes he played last year, in the interest of Ethan and of Chelsea, the idea he can play a lot of games somewhere could be good for him.
"I really wanted to work with Ethan this year. That’s a slight disappointment, but it’s to benefit of him.
"In midfield and defence we have a lot of quality, so each player is a case by case."
Leipzig’s sporting director Markus Krösche added: “We are very pleased to have won Ethan Ampadu for a one-year loan. He has only 18 years of international experience and can play both in the defense and in the defensive midfield.
“Despite many English offers, Ethan has decided to join us, and we now have another top talent in our ranks that is versatile enough to give our squad even more variation.”
Related football links
