Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk have agreed a deal to play their Champions League home games at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium this season.
Shakhtar have not been able to use their Donbas Arena since 2014 when Russia annexed the Donetsk region.
Instead, they have played domestic games in Kyiv and Lviv, while their European fixtures have been hosted by clubs in Germany, Slovenia and Poland.
The switch to Stamford Bridge is subject to regulatory approvals, but Chelsea, who failed to qualify for Europe last season, hope to be able to offer Shakhtar and the club’s supporters a home in west London.
“Shakhtar have played in countries across Europe and we look forward to welcoming them to London for their Champions League campaign this year,” Chelsea said in a statement on Friday.
