Fortuna Dusseldorf sports director Lutz Pfannenstiel is delighted with their deal for Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker.

Baker moved to the Bundesliga outfit on a season-long loan from Chelsea last week.

Now 24, the talented midfielder has spent much of his time as a senior player away from his parent club on-loan. Before his German move, Baker spent time with Sheffield Wednesday, Milton Keynes Dons, Vitesse, Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Reading between 2015 and this year.

For his part, Pfannenstiel is pleased with their addition, admitting he'd been following the midfielder since his time with Vitesse. It was in Arnhem where Baker spent two seasons, making 64 appearances for 15 goals and eight assists.

Pfannenstiel told the club's website, "He brings everything with what you need as a central midfielder.

"Baker is strong, dynamic and dangerous.

"I am sure that he will set new standards in the Bundesliga and will do well for our creative game."

And when first welcoming Baker to Fortuna, Pfannenstiel revealed he'd been aware of Baker since his time in the Eredivisie with Chelsea's Dutch partners Vitesse.

"I've known and watched Lewis Baker since he was a youth at Chelsea FC. At Vitesse Arnhem he was one of the outstanding midfielders in the Eredivisie at a young age."

Pfannenstiel took charge of Fortuna only in December, leaving Hoffenheim after seven years with the club where he served in a series of roles, including as scout and as Head of International Relations.

This window is the former goalkeeper's first summer market in the role of sporting director.

- updated July 29