Chelsea striker Lucas Piazon to join Malaga in loan deal

Interim Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez says Brazilian striker Lucas Piazon is joining Spanish side Malaga on loan until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old Piazon has played only three times in all competitions for Chelsea since signing from Brazilian club Sao Paolo in January last year, with the European champions preferring Fernando Torres and new signing Demba Ba in the forward positions.

Piazon will look to gain more first-team experience at Malaga, which will face Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League next month.

The Sao Paolo-born striker has a fine goal scoring record for Brazil's junior sides, almost averaging a goal every game at under-15 and under-17 levels.