French defender Sarr joins Monaco on loan

ANKARA

Monaco signed French defender Malang Sarr on loan from English Premier League club Chelsea on Wednesday, the French football team said.

"AS Monaco are pleased to announce the arrival of Malang Sarr. The 23-year-old central defender joins on loan from Chelsea FC for one season with an option to buy," the French Ligue 1 club said in a statement.

Sarr said that he is "very happy" to be a Monaco player and is also delighted to return to the French league that he started.

"I would like to thank the Club for its confidence. I am now looking forward to blending in with my new surroundings and getting to know my new teammates, with the desire to achieve a lot together," he said.

Sarr played for France's Nice before his move to Chelsea in 2020, his first overseas experience.

Then he had a one-season loan spell with Portugal's Porto.

In the 2021-22 season, Sarr played 21 matches for Chelsea.

During his time at Chelsea, he helped the Blues win a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup.