Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos rejoins Vasco de Gama on loan after failing to get work permit

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos will rejoin former club Vasco de Gama on loan after failing to secure a work permit.

Brazil Under-20s international Santos, 18, moved to Stamford Bridge in January in a deal reportedly worth £18m.

He made his professional debut in 2021 as a 16-year-old and was part of the Vasco side to regain their top-flight status in Brazil.

Last month he helped Brazil win the South American Under-20 Championship.

Santos scored the opener in the final against Uruguay and finished as the tournament’s joint-top scorer with six goals.

In a statement Chelsea said Santos now has “the opportunity to develop further” in Brazil’s Serie A.