Chelsea defender Miazga heads to Nantes on loan
The United States international has left the Blues on loan again, signing for Nantes in Ligue 1 for the 2018-19 season
Nantes have signed United States international Matt Miazga on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
The defender joined the Blues from the New York Red Bulls at the end of the January 2016 window, but only has made a pair of Premier League appearances with the London club.
Though he got those early opportunities, Miazga was never a part of Antonio Conte’s plans when the manager arrived in the summer of 2016 and spent the next two seasons on loan with Vitesse of the Eredivisie.
Article continues below
Editors' Picks
Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career is far from over
Miazga became a key member of the Eredivisie’s side backline over that span, playing 72 games and helping the club qualify for the Europa League in both seasons.
The centre-back also as emerged as an important figure in the U.S. national team’s set up in 2018, as the program looks to rebuild with a youthful core after their failed World Cup qualification campaign.
The 23-year-old will now test himself in Ligue 1 with Nantes, who finished ninth last season after a tough start to 2018.
Nantes reportedly beat out fellow Ligue 1 side Caen for the right to sign the USMNT centre-back.
Miazga also signed a new contract with Chelsea, which will tie him down to the Blues until 2022.
However, the loan includes a purchase option for Nantes that can be exercised at the end of the season.
He will be the second USMNT player to feature for the club after international team-mate Alejandro Bedoya, who appeared for Nantes 87 times over the course of three Ligue 1 seasons between 2013-2016.
Nantes open up their Ligue 1 campaign at home against Monaco on Saturday.