The Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne has signed a four-year deal with Hamburg for a fee believed to be around £3m, the Bundesliga club have confirmed.

The 23-year-old has passed a medical and will join his new team-mates after he completes his duties with England at this summer's European Under-21 Championship.

Mancienne joined Chelsea as a schoolboy but made only six senior appearances for them before being sent out on loan. He twice went to Queens Park Rangers before three spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers, with whom he spent the best part of three years.

He made just 17 appearances for Mick McCarthy's side in their recent successful battle against relegation, and has now opted to head to Germany where he will be reunited with Hamburg's sporting director, Frank Arnesen.

The Dane, who was technical director during some of Mancienne's time at Chelsea, said: "I know Michael from Chelsea and have followed his development for years. I am aware of his great potential."

Hamburg finished eighth in the Bundesliga this season, and Mancienne has outlined his ambition to get them back into Europe as soon as possible.

"Hamburg are a big club with a lot of tradition and some fantastic fans," he said. "It's a big challenge for me to be able to play for this club. It would be great if I could play a part in helping Hamburg get back into Europe."