On the heels of signing one of the biggest stars in South American football with a deal for Alexandre Pato, Chelsea have now completed a deal for one of the fastest rising stars in North American football, New York Red Bulls and United States defender Matt Miazga.
The club made the details of the deal official on their website and social media sites. The 20-year-old defender signed a four-and-a-half year contract and is eligible to play immediately since he has a Polish passport and won’t need a work permit.
Welcome to @ChelseaFC, Matt Miazga! #CFC pic.twitter.com/TyGuNMoZ8a
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 30, 2016
In an interview with the team, Miazga expressed his delight at joining one of the top teams in the world and learn from the best of the best.
‘I am very happy to sign for Chelsea, a world-famous club with a reputation for major success,’ Miazga said.
‘I am delighted to be in the Premier League, the best league in the world, and can’t wait to meet my team-mates and get going.
‘I am still at the beginning of my career but I believe this is the place to develop and learn from some of the best players in the world.’
Miazga joined the New York Red Bulls academy in 2009 and signed a professional contract several years later when he was just 17. He has represented the United States numerous times at the Under-20 and Under-23 level before being promoted to the main squad by Jurgen Klinsmann at the end of 2015.
With Miazga dominating the backfield, the New York Red Bulls had the best record in Major League Soccer this past year, winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield thanks to the best scoring defence in the Eastern Conference.
At 6’4″, Miazga towers over many of his Chelsea teammates such as John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta. Considering his combination of size and speed, it has been speculated that if he appears fit during training, Miazga could join the first-team rather than join the over two dozen other Chelsea players on loan.
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