Chelsea defender Tomas Kalas joins Fulham on season-long loan deal for second year running
Czech star is with the Blues on their pre-season tour of Asia but will go out on loan when they return next week
CHELSEA defender Tomas Kalas has joined Fulham on a season-long loan deal for the second straight year.
Championship rivals Hull also enquired about the Czech star but he will return to Craven Cottage under the guidance of Slavisa Jokanovic.
Kalas was a mainstay in the side last season as the Cottagers reached the play-offs only to lose to Reading in the semi-final.
Fulham have long been keen to bring in Kalas again - who signed a new four-year Chelsea deal today.
So much so that they have been in talks with Blues bosses since the end of last season.
Centre-back Kalas, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2010 but has so far been sent on five loan spells, has been open to returning to the South West London side.
The 24-year-old made four appearances for Chelsea during the 2013/14 season.
He will be at Fulham alongside fellow Blue Lucas Piazon - who also went back to Fulham earlier this month.
Tony Khan, vice chairman and director of football operations, said: "It's a pleasure to welcome Tomas Kalas back to the Fulham Football Club.
"We appreciate Tomas so much after the way that he battled for us last season, demonstrating not only tremendous skill but also great heart and determination.
"We're very excited to have him here again as one of us as we prepare for our next battle, and what we hope will be a great season!"
In all, Kalas has spent one season on loan at Sigma Olomouc, two at Vitesse Arnhem, one at FC Koln, a spell at Middlesbrough and this will be his second term at Fulham.