Chelsea striker Datro Fofana completes loan move to Turkish club | OneFootball

Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana has completed a season-long loan move to Turkish club Fatih Karagumruk.

The 22-year-old has struggled for opportunities since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Molde in January 2023. He has made just four first-team appearances.

Chelsea had attempted to find him a new club last summer, with talks held with AEK Athens over a loan that included an obligation to buy, but that deal collapsed late on.

Fofana joined Turkish club Goztepe on loan, scoring twice in nine matches before undergoing surgery to address thigh and knee problems.

He returned to London in January but is not part of manager Enzo Maresca’s plans for the new season.

The Ivorian striker has now been sent on loan for the fourth time in his Chelsea career, having previously spent spells at Union Berlin and Burnley.

His record at Molde, where he scored 24 goals and registered eight assists in 65 matches, convinced Chelsea to pay more than €10m (£8.4m) for him two years ago.

Chelsea’s transfer activity this summer underlines how far down the pecking order Fofana has slipped.

The club signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro to add further attacking options, while Nicolas Jackson was loaned to Bayern Munich. A deal has been agreed to bring Emanuel Emegha from Strasbourg in 2026.

Even when Delap suffered a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out until November, Chelsea overlooked Fofana and recalled Marc Guiu from Sunderland to provide cover.

That decision made it clear that Fofana has little future at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea now hoping regular game time in Turkey will boost his value ahead of a potential permanent move.

Fofana made three Premier League appearances in his first six months at Chelsea, including a start against Manchester City in May 2023, but he has not featured in the competition since.

His career has stalled through a combination of injuries and unsuccessful loans, leaving him facing another restart at Karagumruk.