Chelsea have announced Kendry Paez has joined Strasbourg on a season-long loan.
The young Ecuador star completed his move to Stamford Bridge from Independiente del Valle this summer after turning 18 in May.
Chelsea believe a loan spell with sister club Strasbourg in Ligue 1 is best for the next stage of his development.
Paez made his first-team debut for the Ecuadorian club Independiente in February 2023, and he went on to make 70 appearances for the club.
He has 18 caps for Ecuador and is expected to feature for them at next summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He will now join 19-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders as one of two Chelsea loanees at Strasbourg.
The French club have also made two permanent signings from Chelsea this summer.
Mathias Amougou made the move for a £12.5million fee earlier this month, while Ishe Samuels-Smith joined for £6.5m on Wednesday.
Chelsea are in talks to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and have Ajax defender Jorrel Hato flying in for a medical ahead of his arrival for £37m plus add-ons.
In a statement, Chelsea said: “We look forward to monitoring and supporting Kendry‘s development throughout his time in France.”
