Chelsea transfer news: Patrick Bamford joins Norwich City on loan until end of the season

Chelsea have confirmed the departure of Patrick Bamford on temporary basis to Noriwich City until the end of the 2015/16 campaign. The young striker recently returned from a loan spell with Crystal Palace owing to lack of regular game time.

"Patrick Bamford has today agreed to join Norwich City on loan until the end of the season," a statement on Chelsea's official site reads.

The 22-year-old was set to remain with the Eagles until the end of the season, but was unhappy at the number of games he was playing under Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park, and hence returned to Stamford Bridge at the start of the year. He was hoping to break into the first-team at Chelsea owing to their lack of forwards, but the arrival of Alexandre Pato on loan from Corinthians, left the striker no choice but to accept the move away.

Bamford scored a brace in his first game back at Chelsea for their U21 side in their game against Queens Park Rangers, but Guus Hiddink, despite being impressed, has allowed him to leave on loan. The striker is not a stranger to the Championship, as he was named the player of the year in the second division during the 2014/15 season for his heroics with Middlesbrough, which saw him score 17 goals and provide five assists in 38 league games while helping them to the playoff finals, which they eventually lost to Bamford's current employers Norwich at Wembley.

The Blues forward is delighted to have completed the move to Carrow Road and has admitted that playing regularly is his only mission. Alex Neil, who has been busy during the January transfer window, was delighted to have captured the talented marksman. He becomes the Canaries' sixth addition this month.

"I'm really happy to be here, and the sooner I'm able to get involved the better. That's what I want to do personally, but it's also about helping Norwich to get the points required to stay in the league," Bamford told Norwich's official site.

"Patrick is a player who excelled last season and we are pleased to have the opportunity to bring him in. He's a young forward determined to make his way in the game, and adds competition for us at the top end of the pitch," Neil added.