Matt Miazga joins Chelsea in £3.5 million deal

US Men’s National Team defender Matt Miazga has joined Chelsea on a four-and-a-half-year contract. The transfer fee is reportedly $5 million (£3.5 million).

“I am very happy to sign for Chelsea, a world-famous club with a reputation for major success,” said Miazga. “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.”

SEE MORE: Who is Matt Miazga? Background on Chelsea’s young US talent.

Miazga, now 20, was signed as a Homegrown product in May of 2013. In 38 career appearances with the Red Bulls, Miazga made 34 starts over his three years with New York. His lone MLS goal came in the victory at Yankee Stadium vs. NYCFC in 2015.

“It is a bittersweet day for the New York Red Bulls,” said New York Red Bulls Sporting Director Ali Curtis. “We are very happy for Matt to get the opportunity but it is tough to see him leave after coming through our academy to the first team – there is a different feel when one of your homegrown players leaves,” Curtis continued. “We tried everything we could to keep Matt but we understand and respect his desire to play in Europe. Moving forward, we’ll either reinforce the team from within our existing player pool or we will acquire a player from the international market. Additionally, the proceeds of this transfer provide us with greater resources to put back into our youth system.”

Miazga made his debut for the US national team in November having represented his country at Under-20 and Under-23 level.

SEE MORE: Matt Miazga to Chelsea can hopefully reverse trend of declining Americans in Europe.