The Cobham graduate moves to the Bundesliga for the rest of the campaign, having been an unused substitute in our last three Premier League fixtures. The Blues have the option to recall Callum in January.

The winger has been with Chelsea since Under-8s level, making his senior debut from the bench in a win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup fourth round in January 2018. Since then he has made 126 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, scoring 16 goals.

Hudson-Odoi has been a full-time member of our senior squad since the 2018/19 season, when he scored four goals in nine appearances during our triumphant Europa League campaign, but was ruled out for five months after suffering a serious Achilles injury.

Following his return, cup competitions offered most of his opportunities in the team, but the 21-year-old featured more regularly from the start under Thomas Tuchel, often in a new role at wing-back. However, injury problems slowed his progress shortly after setting up the opening goal in last season’s FIFA Club World Cup final victory over Palmeiras, meaning the FA Cup win at Luton Town at the start of March remains his most recent appearance for the Blues.

Hudson-Odoi will now have the chance to enjoy regular top-flight and European football at Leverkusen, who finished third in the Bundesliga last season and have been drawn in Group B of the Champions League, alongside Atletico Madrid, Bruges and Porto.