Callum Hudson-Odoi has said he has already recovered from coronavirus after he was the first Premier League player confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19.
Early on Friday morning, Chelsea announced that the winger displayed cold symptoms on Monday morning and so was a priority to be tested.
In a statement, Chelsea confirmed that the entire first-team squad and some of Frank Lampard's staff would self-isolate after coming into contact with Hudson-Odoi.
Speaking out for the first time since news emerged of his positive test, Hudson-Odoi was upbeat about being back healthy soon.
‘Hi guys, as you may be aware I had the virus for the last couple of days, which I've recovered from,' he said.
‘I'm following the health guidelines and self-isolating myself from everybody for the week.
‘I hope to see everybody soon and hope to be back on the pitch very soon.'
The club said despite testing positive, the 19-year-old was ‘doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible'. In a statement in the early hours of Friday morning, Chelsea said: ‘Chelsea men's team player Callum Hudson-Odoi had a positive test result for Coronavirus returned this evening.
‘Chelsea personnel who had recent close contact with the player in the men's team building will now self-isolate in line with Government health guidelines. These will include initially the full men's team squad, coaching staff and a number of the backroom staff.
‘It is expected that those who did not have close contact with Callum will return to work in the coming days. In the meantime, the men's team building, one of several separate buildings at our training ground, will remain closed. The rest of our training facility, Stamford Bridge and our other facilities are operating as normal.
‘Callum displayed symptoms similar to a mild cold on Monday morning and has not been at the training ground since then as a precaution. However, his test came in positive this evening and he will undergo a period of self-isolation. Despite testing positive for the virus, Callum is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible.
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‘We wish Callum a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the club soon.'
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 years ago
