Chelsea have confirmed the departure of left-back Baba Rahman on a season-long loan move to Bundesliga outfit Schalke.

The Ghana international has really struggled for playing time at Stamford Bridge, and will now be keen to impress elsewhere in this temporary move away.

Despite being a promising young defender, Rahman found himself behind Cesar Azpilicueta in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, and has seemed unlikely to dislodge the Spaniard from this spot.

Instead, the 22-year-old will hope to have some joy back in Germany, where he previously caught the eye of top clubs with his fine performances for Augsburg.

Rahman becomes the latest in a long list of Chelsea players out on loan, in a policy that has been widely criticised by neutrals.

The Blues have 15 players sent to other clubs on temporary deals this season, more than any other Premier League club.

Full list of Chelsea players out on loan:

Baba Rahman (Schalke)
Mitchell Beeney (Crawley Town)
Andreas Christensen (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)
Tomas Kalas (Fulham)
Wallace (Gremio)
Victorien Angban (Granada)
Matej Delac (Mouscron-Peruwelz)
Charly Musonda (Real Betis)
Jeremie Boga (Granada)
Kasey Palmer (Huddersfield Town)
Lewis Baker (Vitesse)
Nathan (Vitesse)
Joao Rodriguez (Santa Fe)
Alex Kiwomya (Crewe Alexandra)

Conte is currently shaping his squad ahead of his first season at Chelsea and has already allowed a number of younger players leave the club on loan, including Nathan Ake, Charly Musonda, and Lewis Baker.

Rahman spent three years in Germany prior to joining Chelsea, spending two seasons at Bundesliga 2 side Greuther Furth, where he made 48 appearances, scoring twice.

He then moved to Bundesliga side Augsburg in August 2014 and impressed during his one and only season at the club, playing 31 times before completing a move to Chelsea.