Malang Sarr has completed a move to Ligue 1 side Lens on a free transfer after his contract with Chelsea was terminated earlier this summer.
Sarr initially joined Chelsea for free in 2020 after leaving Nice, where he amassed 119 appearances across four seasons, having come through their youth system.
His time at Chelsea included loan spells at Porto, where he was relegated to the reserve squad, and Monaco.
During the 2021/22 season, Sarr featured in 21 matches and was part of the squad that secured the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.
However, he was completely sidelined for the 2023/24 season under Mauricio Pochettino, leading Chelsea to terminate his contract a year early.
Lens have now announced that the former France Under-21 international has signed a two-year contract with an option for an additional 12 months.
Sarr is not the only defender set to depart Chelsea this summer.
Veteran Thiago Silva has returned to Brazil to join Fluminense, and Trevoh Chalobah was recently excluded from the club’s pre-season squad for their US tour.
Chalobah, 25, showed a strong return to form at the end of the 2023/24 season after recovering from a significant injury.
Explaining the decision, new head coach Enzo Maresca stated he already has options like Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, and Axel Disasi in central defense.
The west London club has had a busy transfer window, signing Omari Kellyman, Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, and Caleb Wiley.
Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen, Hakim Ziyech, and Omari Hutchinson are among those who have departed on permanent deals.
Chelsea’s first pre-season friendly was a heated 1-1 draw with Wrexham, during which Levi Colwill and James McClean had an early altercation.
