Official: Malang Sarr joins FC Porto on loan from Chelsea

Young center back Malang Sarr has traded Ligue 1 for the Primeira Liga, by way of a trip to London for Chelsea media day, after his loan to FC Porto was confirmed today.

The 21-year-old, who was snapped up by Chelsea on a free transfer from OGC Nice earlier this summer, will spend the season at the Portuguese champions, where he should get a taste of Champions League football as well. (Porto have been drawn in a group with Manchester City, Olympiacos, and Marseille.)

Managed by former Portugal international Sergio Conceicao, Porto are off to a decent start this season, but they contrived to lose at home to lowly Maritimo this past weekend, conceding three goals. Their first-choice center back partnership at the moment consists of a 37-year-old Pepe (the former Real Madrid chancer) and former Newcastle man Chancel Mbemba. Sarr could conceivably beat out either of them for a starting spot, though he’ll also be expected to deputize at left back with Alex Telles having completed a long-awaited move to the Premier League (and Manchester United, specifically).

Good luck, Malang. Maybe we’ll see you at the Bridge next season.