Chelsea's Sam Hutchinson joins Nottingham Forest on loan

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of defender Sam Hutchinson from Premier League side Chelsea on a season-long loan deal.

The 23-year-old re-signed for the Blues last season, just 16 months after retiring because of a knee injury.

"He comes with a tremendous reputation from Chelsea's hierarchy," boss Sean O'Driscoll told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I saw him last season and he was excellent. He has good pedigree and can play right-back or right centre-half."

O'Driscoll added: "That gives us competition on that side and we are looking for someone to come in on the left-hand side to do a similar job."

Hutchinson made his debut in May 2007 but has only made a total of six first-team appearances because of his knee problems.

O'Driscoll said: "He's a bit John Terry-esque - they see him like that. He's been at Chelsea all his career and he had an injury which forced his retirement but he seems to have got over it."