Former Chelsea player Kakuta joins French club RC Lens

PARIS -- Ex-Chelsea attacking midfielder Gael Kakuta has agreed to join RC Lens, the Ligue 1 side announced on Thursday.

The 29-year-old DR Congo international will sign with his new outfit on loan for the season from Amiens, which has been relegated to Ligue 2. His deal includes an option to buy.

"Here's where it all started. I always wanted to play for Lens' first team. It was my childhood dream," Kakuta said in a statement, referring to his teenage experience at the Lens academy that began his soccer career.

Kakuta moved to Chelsea from Lens in 2007, and finished as the top scorer for the youth team. He made his first team debut in 2009 and played 16 games for the first team.

He joined Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune in 2016 and played 24 times, netting twice and adding four assists.