Bundesliga
Leverkusen sign Hudson-Odoi on loan from Chelsea
Bayer Leverkusen have moved to strengthen their attacking options by snapping up the versatile England international winger Callum Hudson-Odoi on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Despite being just 21, Hudson-Odoi - a UEFA Champions League winner - brings plenty of experience to a Leverkusen side returning to Europe's top table again this term. Having scored 16 goals and provided 22 assists in 126 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea since making his senior bow for the club in 2018, the Londoner arrives at the BayArena a full England international with three senior caps to his name.
"We've signed a quick and assertive winger in Callum Hudson-Odoi. He has everything needed to help us immediately," said Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes. "Callum has made over 100 appearances for Chelsea and proved himself in the Premier League and Champions League. Our attack gains another special component with him. We're very pleased this transfer has worked out."
A winger with the ability to play across the front line and also in midfield, Hudson-Odoi was even deployed successfully at wing-back by his coach at Chelsea, the former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz boss, Thomas Tuchel. Roaring through the ranks of the Chelsea youth academy, Hudson-Odoi won an U18 Premier League title as well as the FA Youth Cup on two occasions.
His achievements with England's youth teams were no less impressive and he was a proud winner of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup with the young Three Lions.
A UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup champion with Chelsea in 2021, Bayer's new man - who will wear the number 17 shirt - will be keen to help Gerardo Seoane's side recover from their tough start to the Bundesliga while he will also be eager to learn Die Wekself's fate in the Champions League when the competition's group stage begins next week.
"The move to Germany is a really exciting thing for me, and I can also still play in the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen," Hudson-Odoi added. "That combination is really attractive and I'm really curious about the club, the fans and the Bundesliga. Kai Havertz has only told me good things about Bayer in the Chelsea changing room."