Chelsea's Joao Felix launches the world's first 'footballer group chat' allowing fans to contact him directly

Chelsea's Joao Felix has launched a free-to-join group chat that will allow fans to directly contact him and his club/country teammates.

Felix - currently on loan at Chelsea from parent club Atletico Madrid - launched a groupchat on Sunday evening which allows fans of the Portuguese forward to directly contact him.

On a post that can be found on his official Instagram account, Felix explained how he would 'love to connect with all of you more' before adding a link to his official group chat: "I'd love to connect with all of you more and thank you for the amazing support.

"I don't think anybody has ever done that yet.

"What would you think if I created a giant group chat? You could directly text me and I would - actually - be able to see everything and interact with all of you everyday.

'If I had to create this giant group chat, would you want to join or not?

"Just tryna see who would be interested."

The response was - as expected - overwhelmingly positive, leading Felix to go ahead and create the group chat, which is thought to be a first of its kind in the professional football world.

@JoaoFelix79 / @eurofootcom

Felix posted a link to the chat accompanied by the following message:

'Ok Ok Ok I seeeee we're on the same page.

'So for anyone who wants to connect with me or ask me anything this is the link to the group chat I created.

'Feel free to join and let's link up.

'@iamrafaelleao93 and @yungchalobah are also on it!'

The group chat - which includes Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah and Portuguese forward Rafael Leao - is housed on an app named The Residency - Football Stars which is free to download.

The 23-year-old has quickly established himself as a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge - with fans calling for his loan move to be made permanent in the summer transfer window.

His latest attempt to connect with the fans will have done his popularity no harm, as those on social media praised the Portugal international for his latest venture.