NEWCASTLE UNITED have confirmed the signing of Chelsea defender Kenedy on loan until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old successfully underwent a medical at Newcastle's training ground this morning, and is set to make his Magpies debut in next week's Premier League game against Burnley.
#WelcomeKenedy! 🇧🇷⚫️⚪️#NUFC pic.twitter.com/fQ0EPx4u4L
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 23, 2018
He is ineligible for Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Chelsea.
The Brazilian joined Chelsea from Fluminense in 2015, and made 20 senior appearances in his first season in English football.
He spent time on loan at Watford last season, and has made a handful of appearances for Chelsea this term, scoring in their 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest in September and impressing in this month's FA Cup third-round replay win over Norwich City.
“I’m so happy with this opportunity at Newcastle," said Kenedy, in an interview with the Magpies' official website. "They’ve opened the door to me to come here, show my potential and come and play for Newcastle.
“It’s a traditional club and Rafa BenĂtez is a fantastic, amazing coach. Christian Atsu, as well – we trained together at Chelsea and know each other, and he said good things about the club. So it was easy to take this decision.”
BenĂtez added: "Kenedy is a player that we have been following since the summer. The reason we are interested is that he can play in several positions – as a winger, a wing back and also as an offensive left full back, so he gives the team many options.
"He has a great left foot and good energy. He is still a young player but he has some experience already in the Premier League and that will help with his adaptation. We welcome him to Newcastle United."
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