Chelsea have confirmed that Andrey Santos has returned Vasco da Gama on loan.
Santos, 18, joined the Blues in the January transfer window for a deal worth £16million. The midfielder is yet to feature for Chelsea after being given permission to represent his country at the Under-20 South American Championship, a tournament he won and finished as top scorer.
It had been hoped that Santos would be included in Graham Potter's first team, but a second work permit application failed to be accepted. The club has now confirmed that the teenager has returned to Vasco to play in Brazil's Serie A.
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A statement on the club website 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."
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