Chelsea defender Sarr joins Real Sociedad on loan

Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr has joined Real Sociedad on a season-long loan.

The move includes no option for the Spanish side to make the deal permanent, with Real Sociedad instead paying Chelsea a loan fee for the 20-year-old’s services.

Sarr made only seven appearances for Chelsea after returning from a loan spell at Strasbourg in February.

Manager Xabi Alonso’s crowded central defensive options — including Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and summer signing Maxence Lacroix — further limited Sarr’s first-team chances at Stamford Bridge.

The Senegal international joined Chelsea from Strasbourg in a deal worth up to £22m, having impressed during his time in Ligue 1. He will now spend the 2026-27 campaign in La Liga.