Young Blues winger Bertrand Traoré granted work permit for Chelsea
Football
By
Mirror
| Jun 28, 2015
Young Chelsea winger Bertrand Traore can finally feature for the first team after being granted a British work permit.
The 19-year-old Burkina Faso international joined the Blues in January 2014 but has spent his time with the club on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland due to the permit issues.
After reapplying for his permit this summer, he has since had it authorised by the Football Association under their new points-based system.
In the new system announced in May, 'only the best non-EU foreign players' will be granted permission to play in England.
READ MORE
Ngugi wa Thiong'o and the African literary revolution
Tanzania doctor describes bodies taken from morgue as fresh protests loom
Players from nations outside of the FIFA rankings top 50, like Burkina Faso, are unlikely to be granted a work permit, but new regulations state that leeway is given to players under the age of 21.
Traore is now expected to be involved in the team's pre-season tour of the United States.
He scored 19 goals for Vitesse in the Eredivisie last season and played in three Africa Cup of Nations ties for his nation, having made his international debut in 2011, at just 15.
Chelsea will take on New York Red Bulls, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona during their trip across the Atlantic.