Chelsea have confirmed Davide Zappacosta has joined Serie A side Roma on a season-long loan deal.
The Premier League outfit signed Zappacosta in a £23m deal in 2017 during Antonio Conte’s time at the club but he has been a huge disappointment.
Zappacosta has barely featured for Chelsea during his two years at the club and has now secured a return to Italy.
Chelsea have also agreed a one-year extension with Zappacosta, as his previous deal was due to expire at the end of the current campaign.
Zappacosta’s departure opens the door for Reece James to compete with Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back once he returns from injury.
The 19-year-old suffered a serious ankle injury in pre-season but is expected back in the first-team picture sometime next month.
Zappacosta has only managed 26 league appearances for Chelsea since joining from Torino and started only once in the competition last term.