Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed that forward Lucas Piazón has been loaned to Malaga until the end of the season.
The 18-year-old has made three appearances for the Blues since arriving at Stamford Bridge from São Paulo last January.
Two of these were in the Capital One Cup and one in the Premier League, during the club’s 8-0 victory over Aston Villa in December 2011.
Benitez said: “We have an agreement with Malaga for Lucas Piazón to go on loan there until the end of the season.”
First-team opportunities are limited for the young Brazilian due to the stiff competition for places in his position, with Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and fellow native Oscar all ahead of him.
Malaga currently sit fifth in La Liga after 19 games and will face Portuguese giants Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League in February.
Benitez also said Chelsea would not seek to recall 19-year-old Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku from his loan spell at West Bromwich Albion, for whom he has scored nine goals in 22 games.
