Wayne Bridge Position Defender DOB 05/08/1980 P.O.B. Southampton, Eng' Height 5'10" Club Chelsea

Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge, 25, will be joining Fulham on loan for the rest of the season.

The England International defenderback had a medical at Fulham last night and it is expected that the deal will be sealed within the next 24 hours. In the event of a successful conclusion Bridge will debut for the Cottagers when they visit West Ham United on Monday evening.

Bridge needs regular first team football to ensure that he has a chance of appearing for England in the World Cup finals. Fulham have tried at least three players in the left back position without great success this season and were even reported to have made an offer for the well thought of Portsmouth defender Matt Taylor.

Tottenham Hotspur were reported to have offered Chelsea £6 million to sign the 25-year-old on a permanent basis, but, having been assured of his long-term prospects by José Mourinho, Bridge sees his future at Stamford Bridge.

Bridge’s departure means that Glen Johnson will stay at the club for the rest of the season because Mourinho needs cover in case of injury to the versatile William Gallas.