Nottingham Forest have completed a deal to take versatile Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson on a six-month loan.
The 23-year-old made his return to football with the Blues last season after originally retiring in 2010 due to a severe knee injury.
With first-team action likely to be limited at Stamford Bridge, Nottingham Forest manager Sean O'Driscoll was keen to sign the highly-rated prospect as a replacement for Chris Gunter, who joined Reading earlier in the transfer window.
O'Driscoll said: "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."
Hutchinson made two appearances under Roberto Di Matteo last season.
