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

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

The 22-year-old has struggled for opportunities since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Molde in January 2023 and 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.

Instead, Fofana joined Turkish club Goztepe on loan, scoring twice in nine matches before undergoing surgery to address thigh and knee problems. He returned to west London in January but remained outside of 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 his signature two years ago, but he has not been able to establish himself in England.

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 and 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 instead recalled 18-year-old Marc Guiu from Sunderland to provide cover.

That decision made clear that Fofana has little future at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea now hoping regular minutes 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 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.

Chelsea, who have taken seven points from their opening three league matches under Maresca, travel to Brentford later today for a west London derby.

Fofana, meanwhile, will attempt to revive his career in Turkey, where consistent playing time is expected to be more readily available.