Zouma signs six-year contract and completes Stoke loan move

Kurt Zouma has signed a new six-year contract at Chelsea and joined Stoke on a season-long loan.

Several other clubs, including West Brom, expressed an interest in the 22-year-old defender.

Zouma returned to action last season after nearly a year on the sidelines with a knee injury.

His first-team prospects at Chelsea looked limited, particularly following the recent signing of Antonio Rudiger, and Blues boss Antonio Conte was prepared to let him move elsewhere.

But the club believe his long-term future lies with them.

Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo told the club’s website: “It is fantastic Kurt has chosen to commit his future to Chelsea. He has shown his talent since joining us three years ago, and has returned from a serious injury with a fantastic attitude.

“Now he has the opportunity to play regularly in the Premier League and we will be monitoring his progress closely while he is at Stoke.”