Official: Tomáš Kalas joins Bristol City from Chelsea

Bristol City’s plans were quite clear at the start of the summer: keep both Chelsea loanees, Jay Dasilva and Tomáš Kalas.

The first part of that mission was accomplished on Wednesday. The second part is now done as well.

Bristol City have today finalized the transfer of Tomáš Kalas from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old Czech international defender has signed a four-year contract, becoming the club’s highest paid player in the process.

Kalas arrived at Chelsea in 2010 from Czech club Sigma Olomouc, but spend the vast majority of his time on loan since — most of it in the Championship with Middlesbrough, Fulham, and Bristol City. He did take a star turn for one game under José Mourinho, starting at Anfield in the Slip Heard Around The World. Part of the reason that was so well heard was because Kalas and the rest of the defence kept a certain Luis Suarez very, very quiet. Alas, Kalas never quite managed to kick-on from there in Chelsea Blue.

Kalas had probably overstayed his time in the Loan Army, so it’s good to see him finally find a presumably more ‘stable’ football existence.

Good luck, Tomáš!