Kurt Zouma signs new six-year Chelsea deal and immediately joins Stoke in £7million loan move
Defender commits long-term future to Stamford Bridge and is then sent to Potteries for regular first-team football
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KURT ZOUMA has signed a new six-year contract at Chelsea - and then immediately agreed to join Stoke on a season-long loan.
Zouma put pen to paper on the huge deal Stamford Bridge to commit his future to the Premier League champions.
But he will spend the next 12 months at the Bet365 Stadium after Stoke stumped up £7million to land him on a short-term deal.
The 22-year-old has struggled to force his way back into the first team plans at Stamford Bridge after spending almost a year out with a knee injury.
Blues 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.’
Stoke boss Mark Hughes said: “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.
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“We have prioritised adding further strength in depth to defensive positions this summer.
"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.”
Chelsea still believe Zouma will develop into a regular first team player at Stamford Bridge, but know he needs game-time after returning to full fitness after his long lay-off.
That wasn't guaranteed with the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill all ahead of him in the pecking order.
The hope is that he will go on to enjoy a full season of football, developing his abilities further and returning to Stamford Bridge in 12 months.
He is the latest player to be farmed out by Chelsea on loan this summer.
Tammy Abraham will spend a year on loan at Swansea, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek has joined Crystal Palace.
Marco van Ginkel moved to PSV Eindhoven, Jay Dasilva has joined League One Charlton while Izzy Brown is being lined up to switch to Brighton.