The Brazilian, who can play anywhere on the left side of the pitch, returns to Stamford Bridge after five months at the Maracana during which he made 18 appearances and scored one goal. In November he came on in the Copa Libertadores final, which Flamengo lost to Palmeiras after extra-time.

Kenedy joined Chelsea in 2015 from Flamengo’s great rivals Fluminense. He featured most often in his first season in west London, playing 20 times under Jose Mourinho and then Guus Hiddink. He scored twice, including a goal inside 40 seconds at Norwich.

Seven appearances followed in the next couple of campaigns between loan spells at Watford and Newcastle. The 25-year-old scored his third Chelsea goal from left wing-back in a big League Cup victory over Nottingham Forest.

Prior to his time at Flamengo, Kenedy spent two years in La Liga, first with Getafe and then Granada. He is a Brazilian youth international.

In other loan news, our 22-year-old goalkeeper Jamie Cumming has been recalled from Gillingham and joined another League One side, MK Dons, for the remainder of this season.

Cumming played 22 times for the Gills and kept four clean sheets. MK Dons are fifth in the table.