Kendry Páez joins Strasbourg from Chelsea | OneFootball

Chelsea midfielder Kendry Páez has joined Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg on a season-long loan for the 2025–26 campaign.

The highly rated Ecuadorian talent will spend the year in France as he continues his development, having only become eligible to move to Europe after turning 18 in May.

Páez first signed with Chelsea back in 2023, when he was just 16, with the Blues reportedly paying just over €10 million to Independiente del Valle. Seen as one of South America’s brightest young prospects, he made his professional debut at just 15 and has already racked up a number of impressive milestones.

At international level, Páez has already earned 18 caps and scored twice for Ecuador.

Chelsea fans have been eager to see him in action on European soil, and the club believe a year in Ligue 1 will provide the perfect platform for regular senior football.

He becomes the third Chelsea player to head to Strasbourg on loan this summer, joining defender Mamadou Sarr and goalkeeper Mike Penders - filling the club's loan quota from Chelsea.

In addition to Páez, Strasbourg have also secured the permanent signing of left-back Ishé Samuels-Smith. The versatile 19-year-old defender joins from Chelsea for a reported fee of £6.5 million, and is also comfortable playing in central defence.