Official: Kenedy joins Flamengo on loan from Chelsea

Having spent the last four years on various loan assignments around Europe, Chelsea winger Kenedy is re-crossing the Atlantic and returning to his home country, where he joins Brazilian Séria A champions Flamengo on a 12-month loan spell.

Flamengo are reportedly paying a €3m loan fee (or maybe just €500k?) and have the option to pay €7m (or €9.5m) more next summer to turn in into a permanent €10m transfer. Flamengo wanted to register the 25-year-old in time for certain competition deadlines, even if his actual arrival may be delayed by COVID tests and protocols.

Although it was only in April that Kenedy had his Chelsea contract extended by another three years (to 2024), there is a decent chance that he will not return. Flamengo are no strangers to actually activating buy-option clauses, as they have recently done to great success with strikers Gabriel Barbosa and Pedro.

Kenedy is coming off a career-best season with Granada in La Liga, and Flamengo will be hoping that he can replicate or improve on his 8-goal and 6-assist output as they try to defend their league title, and also win the Copa Libertadores for the third time in their history.

Good luck, Kenedy!