Kurt Zouma Joins Stoke on Season-Long Loan After Signing New 6-Year Contract at Chelsea
Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has officially temporarily left the club on loan to join Stoke City for the duration of the upcoming 2017/18 season, but has also signed a new six-year contract that will also secure his longer term future at Stamford Bridge until 2023.
Zouma is expected to replace Bruno Martins Indi in the Potters' defence after the club was unable to negotiate a permanent deal with Porto after having the Dutchman on loan last season.
The Frenchman, a Chelsea player since 2014, comes with the added bonus of existing Premier League experience and even has a Premier League title on his résumé.
He played a an important back-up role as Chelsea clinched the trophy in 2014/15, while his versatility ensured he was able to also start the League Cup final that season in a defensive midfield role as Chelsea beat London rivals Tottenham at Wembley.
Zouma's impressive progress was only halted when he suffered a serious knee injury in February 2016 that immediately ended his season and also ruled him out of Euro 2016 on home soil.
He subsequently struggled to regain his place under Antonio Conte when fit again and the move to Stoke promises to be mutually beneficial as the player looks to re-establish himself at the same high level he was previously at before his injury.
