By Benson Daniel
Chelsea midfielder Dário Essugo has completed a season long loan move to French Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg, giving the Portuguese youngster an opportunity to secure regular first team football.
The transfer was completed on Tuesday, September 1, as clubs rushed to finalise their business on the final day of the summer transfer window. Chelsea confirmed that Essugo will spend the 2026/27 campaign with Strasbourg.
The 21 year old midfielder joined Chelsea from Sporting CP in June 2025 and was part of the squad that lifted the FIFA Club World Cup with the London club. He made three appearances during the tournament as Chelsea went on to claim the title.
Essugo’s first season at Stamford Bridge was affected by competition for places and an injury setback, limiting his opportunities to establish himself as a regular member of the first team.
The defensive midfielder had initially been linked with a possible move to newly promoted Premier League side Hull City, but that option collapsed on deadline day before Strasbourg stepped in to secure his services.
The move to France is expected to provide Essugo with valuable playing time and allow him to continue his development in a competitive European league.
Strasbourg have also strengthened their squad considerably during the summer, and Essugo becomes another Chelsea player to move to the French club. The two clubs share the same ownership group, BlueCo, which has facilitated player movements between the sides.
Essugo previously gained senior experience during loan spells with Chaves in Portugal and Las Palmas in Spain before making his permanent move to Chelsea.
His time at Las Palmas was particularly important for his development, giving him exposure to regular senior football and helping him build experience outside Portugal.
At Strasbourg, Essugo will be expected to compete for a starting position in midfield and provide additional defensive strength to the Ligue 1 side.
The loan also gives Chelsea the opportunity to monitor his progress closely while he develops away from the intense competition for midfield places at Stamford Bridge.
Essugo’s departure comes on a busy deadline day for Chelsea, with the club involved in several major transfer developments. The Blues are also working on reshaping their midfield following the agreement for Enzo Fernández to join Manchester City.
For Essugo, the immediate priority will be to settle quickly in France and establish himself as an important player for Strasbourg.
The midfielder will now look to use his season in Ligue 1 to gain consistent first team experience and return to Chelsea with greater maturity and confidence.
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