Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys will join German side Paderborn on loan until the end of the season, according to The Athletic.

The 19 year old defender made his senior debut for Chelsea earlier this month at centre-back alongside Kalidou Koulibaly in a 4-0 loss to Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup third round.

Humphreys will continue his development with Paderborn, who are in the second tier of the German league.

Interestingly it’s Benjamin Weber, one of Thomas Tuchel’s assistants from his time at Chelsea, who is the new sporting director at Paderborn, who is behind the deal. 

Clubs in the Championship and League One also expressed interest in loaning Humphreys but but the player and Chelsea’s new technical director Christopher Vivell both regarded Paderborn as the ideal club to continue his development.

Paderborn currently lie sixth in 2. Bundesliga and there is a possibility that the loan agreement could be renewed for next season if they gain promotion to Germany’s top flight.

Humphreys is contracted to Chelsea until June 2024, with an option to extend for a further year.