Chelsea have sent January signing Andrey Santos back to Vasco da Gama on loan after failing to secure a work permit for the 18-year-old.
As reported by Standard Sport this week, the midfielder saw his hopes of playing in the Premier League this season dashed after his UK visa was rejected, missing the threshold for approval by just one point.
The club hope Santos will continue to develop back at his boyhood club before being able to integrate him fully into the first-team squad during the club’s expected pre-season tour of America during the summer.
A club statement read: "Andrey Santos is moving back to Brazil, re-joining his previous club Vasco da Gama on loan.
"The 18-year-old midfielder signed for Chelsea in January from his boyhood club, whom he helped to promotion to the top flight last year. He now has the opportunity to develop further at that level.
"Since joining Chelsea, Santos has starred in a triumph on the international stage. Brazil won the South American Under-20 Championship and he scored in the final against Uruguay. As captain of the side, Santos was the tournament’s joint top scorer with six goals.
"We wish Andrey well playing in Brazil’s Serie A.”
More follows.
