Chelsea defender Renato Veiga has joined Juventus on loan for the rest of the season.

Veiga, 21, joined Chelsea from Basel for £11.8m in the summer and has played in 18 games, but has started just one Premier League match.

Juventus have agreed to cover the Portugal international’s wages and pay a £3.8m loan fee. No option to buy has been included in the deal.

Sources close to the player said he had grown frustrated playing at left-back, preferring to be used at centre-back.

Veiga had also been linked with German side Borussia Dortmund as he looked for more minutes to stay in the Portugal squad.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had urged Veiga to stay last week, saying: “If there is a player who just wants to play in one position, they’re going to struggle.”

Juventus are fifth in Serie A and have secured at least a play-off spot in the Champions League.