Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Sam Hutchinson on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.
Blues defender to spend the 2012/13 season at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Sam Hutchinson on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.
The 23-year-old defender becomes the eighth summer arrival of Sean O'Driscoll's City Ground reign.
Hutchinson is a product of the academy system at Stamford Bridge and is held in high regard by his parent club.
He was forced to retire in 2010 after suffering a serious knee injury, but returned to professional football in December 2011 and will be hoping to help Forest push for promotion out of the Championship this season.
Reds chairman Omar Al Hasawi told the club's
official website: "Sam is held in the highest regard by Chelsea and we're grateful to them for allowing him to join us on loan.
"He is an exciting young player who has already shown a lot of grit and determination in his career, characteristics that we are sure will endear him to our supporters."
O'Driscoll is delighted to have further bolstered his defensive ranks and believes Hutchinson boasts all of the attributes required to be a success at Forest and in his career heading forward.
Characters
He said: "We are looking for characters - that's a box we've tried to tick with all the players we've brought in. He has a big tick in that box.
"He's been likened to John Terry at Chelsea and they see him as an integral part of their squad but he hasn't played many games.
"This is an opportunity for him and for us to strengthen the defensive side, which is what we've had to really concentrate on, so he's a good signing for us.
"Ideally we'd have had him in a bit earlier but beggars can't be choosers.
"You're not going to keep four defenders fit all season and, especially in the first month when we're playing a lot of games, we're going to need everybody. It's a good opportunity for him.
"The Championship is a good level for a young player to test himself in so it will stand him in good stead for his Chelsea career."
