My hopes and dreams of Todd Kane getting a surprise first-team spot this season have died a swift death today.
Todd Kane has today joined Dutch side NEC Nijmegen on loan for the 2015/16 season... http://t.co/DeLzwSEOwC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 6, 2015
News of Kane's three-year contract extension just a few days ago had me thinking that he could perhaps provide some of the defensive cover we're currently lacking with just five total defenders in the first-team squad, but it turns out that's not part of our plans. (At least not this season, he added optimistically.)
While I rate the soon-to-be 22-year-old right back probably a bit higher than most, he's had success at the Championship level in past loans and he was always fun to watch with the Chelsea reserves and youth sides, which he often captained as well. Kane has been with the Blues since before age 8, and I wish him all the greatest success at NEC Nijmegen.
NEC's official website lists only five defenders in their squad as well, so there should be a good chance for Kane to establish himself and get plenty of minutes of competitive match action. The England under-21 international has been assigned shirt #15. NEC's season begins this Sunday, at home against Excelsior.