New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga is set to fly to London in the next 48 hours, to complete his £3.5m switch to Premier League Champions Chelsea, according to Sky Sources.
Miazga, 20, has attracted the attention of clubs around Europe after a successful MLS campaign last season, and is likely to make the switch to England in the coming days. The young defender joined the New York Red Bulls academy at U14’s level, and signed his professional contract with the club in May 2013.
Jim White confirmed that the defender would be flying to London in the next 48 hours to finalise the deal, which could be worth up to £3.5m. Miazga does not require a work permit to play in England, as he owns a Polish passport. [Daily Mail]
Reports suggest that Chelsea have had to assure Miazga’s club that he will be given first-team opportunities, and won’t be sent out on loan like many of the Blues’ academy prospects. Miazga, who stands at 6ft 4in, has played for both Poland and USA youth teams, but chose to play for the USA senior squad recently to end the debate.
Though at £3.5m ($5m) Miazga is a fairly low risk signing for Chelsea, there will be doubts as to whether a defender relatively inexperienced can fill the boots of John Terry in the future, as Blues fans will be hoping to avoid another Djilibodji saga.
The defender is reportedly very keen on the passion involved in the Premier League, claiming ‘hopefully one day I will have the opportunity to play there.’ [Daily Mail]
