Nottingham Forest stars all stunned to find out how old Callum Hudson-Odoi is after transfer from Chelsea
NOTTINGHAM FOREST stars have been stunned to learn that Callum Hudson-Odoi is only 22.
Steve Cooper‘s side signed the winger from Chelsea in a £3million deal on deadline day.
Hudson-Odoi has been getting to know his new team-mates… who can’t believe how young he is.
The England international made his Blues debut aged just 17 in January 2018.
And despite having suffered with a serious achilles injury, he made 126 appearances for Chelsea – but has not played for them in the Premier League since January 2022.
Following 21 outings on loan at Bayer Leverkusen last term, Hudson-Odoi decided to leave Stamford Bridge for good this summer.
Reflecting on his early days at the City Ground, he told the Telegraph: “Everyone at Forest has been saying the same since I signed – it feels like I’ve been around for a long time.
“I’ve been playing from a very young age in Chelsea’s first team but I’m not even 23 until November.
“The journey has been up and down, a roller-coaster good and bad. Now I just want to make sure that my head is focused and I’m ready for every game.
“I’ve experienced so much in a space of time but there’s so much more to come. I’ve got so many years ahead of me.”
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Reflecting on his Chelsea exit, Hudson-Odoi admitted that it wasn’t easy to say goodbye.
He added: “Chelsea has been my home for a very long time and knowing it was time to go was emotional.
“It was difficult, we had conversations but I thought it was best if I leave. It was a mutual agreement, but I’d say it was more my decision.
“Forest is the right place for me to excel in my football, and do more than I probably could at Chelsea. I want to be playing as much as possible.”
Hudson-Odoi made his first appearance in Nottingham Forest colours during a low-key 2-1 EFL Trophy defeat at Harrogate Town last week.
He could be in line for his senior debut this evening, as Forest take on Burnley in the Premier League.