Chelsea confirm Musonda will stay with Betis on loan

Matt Stead

Chelsea have confirmed teenage midfielder Charly Musonda will spend next season on loan at Real Betis following a successful spell at the end of the last campaign.

The Belgian-born 19-year-old made 16 appearances for Betis following a loan move in January and will link up with former Blues midfielder Gus Poyet, who was appointed as new manager of the Spanish club in May.

Musonda joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in June 2012, along with his elder brothers Tik and Lamisha. He has since gone on to win the FA Youth Cup, but as yet the Belgium Under-21 international has not featured for the first team.

A statement on Chelsea’s official website read: “Charly Musonda will continue his development in La Liga with his loan to Real Betis extended to cover the 2016/17 season.

“The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, who has won the Under-21 Premier League, the UEFA Youth League and the FA Youth Cup with the Chelsea Academy, originally moved on loan to Betis in January and made 16 appearances last season as they finished 10th in Spain’s top flight. He also played for Belgium Under-21s.”

In March 2015, Musonda signed a contract extension committing him to Chelsea until the end of the 2018/19 season.

Musonda told www.realbetisbalompie.es: “I am very happy. This year was very good and I hope the next will be. For my progression I hope to play well here and learn.

“Playing in a Primera Division team is very good and Betis is the perfect club.”