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Cologne sign Tomas Kalas on loan

Chelsea defender Tomas Kalas is to join Cologne on a season-long loan deal.

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Kalas, 21, will join the German club, who last term secured promotion to the Bundesliga, when the transfer window opens on July 1.

Reports had claimed that the youngster was set for a two-year stay in Germany, only for the Blues to confirm on their official website on Wednesday that he will return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.

"Chelsea Football Club and FC Cologne have agreed a season-long loan for Tomas Kalas which will begin on July 1," a statement read.

Kalas made four appearances for Chelsea last season, including an impressive display in the Premier League win against Liverpool at Anfield.

The Czech Republic international is set for his second temporary spell away from the club, having spent the 2011-12 and 2012-13 campaigns at Vitesse Arnhem.

Cologne's swoop for Kalas follows on from their signing of attacker Simon Zoller from Kaiserslautern.