Chelsea has revealed Mauricio Pochettino’s favorite Dorde Petrovic has completed a deadline-day transfer away from Stamford Bridge.
Petrovic joined Chelsea for £14 million from Major League Soccer club New England Revolution nearly exactly a year ago.
Petrovic established an amazing body of work in America, maintaining four clean sheets in a single month during his debut season in the MLS and finished the season as a contender for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and MLS Newcomer of the Year.
The Serbian international kept up his impressive showing in 2022–2023—becoming the MLS’s fastest player to save five penalties and earning a spot on the All-Star squad.
Although Petrovic was supposed to be Chelsea’s backup goalkeeper the previous season, he ended up starting the season as Pochettino’s first choice thanks to an injury to No. 1 Robert Sanchez in December.
The 24-year-old made 31 appearances in all competitions but failed to win over Pochettino’s replacement Enzo Maresca, who has gone back to Sanchez for the start of the new season.
Chelsea have now sent Petrovic out on loan to Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg and say they will ‘monitor’ his progress throughout the year.
‘Djordje joined the Blues last summer from New England Revolution and made 31 appearances, including a start in the Carabao Cup final, during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge,’ they said in a statement.
‘The 24-year-old will now continue his development in the French top flight. We look forward to supporting and monitoring Djordje throughout his loan spell. Good luck, Djordje!’
Petrovic is not the only goalkeeper departing Chelsea before the summer transfer window closes, with Kepa Arrizabalaga joining fellow Premier League club Bournemouth on a season-long loan.
Kepa remains Chelsea’s most expensive goalkeeper after his £71m arrival from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.
‘I know Andoni Iraola well, so of course that was a big reason for coming here, he spoke very well about everything here,’ said the 29-year-old, who played for Real Madrid on loan last season.
‘I am so ready to be here and play in front of our fans. Hopefully we can win something and it could be a great year.’