KURT ZOUMA has signed a six-year contract at Chelsea and will play on loan at Stoke for the upcoming season.
Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo said: “It is fantastic Kurt has chosen to commit his future to Chelsea. He has shown his talent since joining us three years ago, and has returned from a serious injury with a fantastic attitude.
“Now he has the opportunity to play regularly in the Premier League and we will be monitoring his progress closely while he is at Stoke.”
Zouma has struggled to get back into the Chelsea first team after recovering from a knee injury.
It was thought that John Terry’s departure would bump Zouma up manager Antonio Conte’s hierarchy for the new campaign.
But the Italian boss instead brought in Antonio Rudiger from Roma.
Zouma is understood to have also attracted the interest of West Brom and Stoke boss Mark Hughes expressed his delight at landing the Frenchman.
“Kurt is undoubtedly one of the most talented young defenders in the game, so naturally his arrival will enhance our playing squad for the forthcoming campaign,” Hughes said.
“We have prioritised adding further strength in depth to defensive positions this summer, and we have certainly done that by fending off any number of clubs who were all interested in taking Kurt on loan.
“He first caught my attention as a 17-year-old during his time at St. Etienne, and in fact, I actually tried to sign him at that point in his career, but whilst that deal never materialised I am delighted to finally get the opportunity to work with him now.
“On his day he is one of the most impressive defenders in the league, and whilst injury unfortunately hampered his progress at Chelsea last season, we are certain that we can give him the platform to recapture the form he showed prior to his setback.”
Source:www.express.co.uk