Chelsea defender Zappacosta completes permanent transfer to Atalanta

Davide Zappacosta has departed Chelsea to join Atalanta on a permanent transfer, both clubs have announced.

The 29-year-old defender joined the Blues in 2017 from Torino and has spent the past two seasons on loan in Serie A with Roma and Genoa. 

Zappacosta will now return to Atalanta, the club where he made his Serie A debut in the 2014-15 season.

Zappacosta at Chelsea

The right-back signed for Chelsea in 2017, joining Antonio Conte's side after impressing with Torino. 

Zappacosta's first campaign at Stamford Bridge was his most successful, as he made 35 appearances and ended with an FA Cup winner's medal.

After he was used sparingly in 2018-19, Zappacosta moved to Roma on loan the following season, but the defender suffered a serious knee injury that curtailed his season.

Last season, Zappacosta featured 25 times in Serie A with Genoa, scoring four goals. 

Chelsea's transfer business continues

After Zappacosta's departure, Chelsea are looking to move several more players out before the transfer window shuts. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater are candidates to leave the club, along with others.

Defender Kurt Zouma is attracting interest from West Ham and could also be sold. Should Zouma depart, Chelsea could move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, while the Blues have also been offered Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez.

Further reading

• Chelsea loan army: Which Blues players are out at other clubs

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