Milton Keynes-born footballer Ben Chilwell leaves Chelsea for Strasbourg

The Milton Keynes-born footballer Ben Chilwell has left Chelsea to join French side Strasbourg.

Chilwell, 28, leaves West London to join the side from eastern France, who he has joined for a two-year deal. It has not been revealed by either club if a transfer fee changed hands.

The move is one of several to take place between Chelsea and Strasbourg, who are both owned by the same multi-club ownership group.

Strasbourg have also signed Chelsea duo Mathis Amougou and Ishe Samuels-Smith. They have also loaned in Kendry Páez and Mike Penders from the Blues, while defender Mamadou Sarr has moved from Strasbourg to Chelsea but has been loaned back to the French side for this season.

In a statement, Chelsea said, “We thank Chilly for his efforts throughout his time at the club and wish him well as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.”

Born in Milton Keynes, Chilwell began his career in the academy of Leicester City, where he became a first-team regular before joining Chelsea for an undisclosed fee of around £45million in 2020.

The defender helped Chelsea win the Champions League in his first season at Stamford Bridge but struggled with injuries for a lot of his time with the club, making 70 Premier League appearances in 5 seasons at the club.

Chilwell had spent the second half of last season out on loan with Crystal Palace, and had been strongly linked with an exit for much of the summer after not being in manager Enzo Maresca’s plans.