USMNT defender Matt Miazga expected to sign with Chelsea

By Kyle McCarthy
Published

New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga is expected to sign with English Premier League side Chelsea in the coming days.

MLS, the Red Bulls and Chelsea are expected to complete the loose ends to the deal and secure the 20-year-old defender's move to England before the close of the transfer window on Monday.

Chelsea is expected to pay a reported $5 million fee for Miazga's services, according to the Daily Mail. ESPN FC first reported Miazga's move to Stamford Bridge.

The deal completes a whirlwind 12 months for the Clifton, N.J. and Red Bulls Academy product. Miazga established himself as a starter under Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch, played in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and made his full U.S. national team debut against St. Vincent and the Grenadines in November.

His exploits over the past year piqued the interest of several English clubs. Miazga's situation -- he holds a Polish passport, while his MLS contract expires at the end of 2016 -- made him an attractive option for teams looking to acquire a player and develop him for the future.

Chelsea completed a similar deal for Jamaica center back Michael Hector last summer after Hector impressed at the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer. Hector is currently back on loan with Reading. It is unknown whether Chelsea plan to send Miazga out on loan at this time, though FOX Sports contributor and SI.com columnist Grant Wahl said the Blues expect to keep Miazga with the club for the remainder of the season.

The move also creates a gaping hole in the Red Bulls defense. Miazga partnered with Damien Perrinelle to form a defiant center back duo, but Miazga is leaving and Perrinelle is recovering from a serious knee injury. Ronald Zubar is expected to lead the back four in their stead.

Miazga's transfer creates significant financial resources for the Red Bulls to reinforce their squad. MLS teams generally received 75 percent of the transfer fee for Homegrown players, with the league retaining the other 25 percent. Only a portion of the fee doled out to clubs can be used as allocation money to strengthen the squad, while the remaining portion can be used on soccer-related expenses.