Chelsea defender completes fifth straight Championship loan move

Tomáš Kalas will head back to the English second tier on loan for the season, this time at Bristol City.

‘Always the bridesmaid, never the bride’ is apt to describe Kalas’ career over the last four years or so. Twice now, the Championship clubs he’s been an important first-team player for — Middlesbrough and Fulham — have been promoted but not signed him permanently. Fulham seemed quite keen on doing so this summer, but reports indicate that a fee couldn’t be agreed with Chelsea.

While Kalas played significant minutes for both his previous loan clubs in England, he lost his place in the starting XI towards the end of their respective promotion campaigns, which is something that has perhaps deterred other Premier League clubs from registering concrete interest in him. With as many as eight Championship clubs keen to take Kalas on loan, the player himself was keen to remain in England and play at his preferred center-back position. All things considered, Lee Johnson’s Bristol City presented itself as the most favourable option for Kalas. Now an experienced defender at this level, he’ll attempt to help take the Robins to the top of the English footballing pyramid.

With three years remaining on his current contract, a strong showing from Kalas this season will hopefully help him (finally) find a permanent home, come next summer. Good luck, Tomáš!