Brazilian teenager Andrey Santos has received approval for his work permit and will now be able to play for Chelsea in the Premier League. Santos was signed by Chelsea in January for £18 million from Vasco da Gama but did not meet the work permit criteria at the time.
He returned to his former club on loan and finished the season in Brazil. However, after his return to west London, Santos continued training with the Blues and applied for a work permit.
According to a report by Dailymail.co.uk, the FA recently approved Chelsea’s application, making Santos eligible to feature in the English top-flight. Santos had already obtained a visa to join Chelsea for their pre-season in the United States, where he played in the team’s first pre-season fixture against Wrexham and contributed to their 5-0 victory.
When Santos initially joined Chelsea, he missed out on obtaining his visa by just one point after applying through FIFA. The 19-year-old expressed his confidence in playing for Chelsea despite the permit issues and stated that he was focused on achieving his goals at the club.
Santos, who is known for his talent and maturity on the field, played as a central defensive midfielder in Chelsea’s pre-season match against Wrexham. He showcased his ability to dictate play and was praised for his discipline in the role. Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s coach, worked with Santos on his positioning during a training session prior to the match.
The 19-year-old has already made his debut for the Brazilian national team and described it as an incredible experience. Santos expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside Casemiro, an idol of his, and stated that he hopes to contribute to the team’s success in return.
With his work permit now secured, Santos can look forward to making his mark in the Premier League with Chelsea.
