Strasbourg sign Dário Essugo on season-long loan from Chelsea

RC Strasbourg have completed the signing of Dário Essugo on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Chelsea officially confirmed the move on deadline day, with the Portugal Under-21 midfielder leaving Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the 2026/27 campaign.

No purchase option, obligation to buy or loan fee was disclosed in Chelsea’s announcement, meaning the confirmed terms are limited to a temporary move for the season.

Essugo joined Chelsea from Sporting CP in June 2025 ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. He featured three times during the tournament as Chelsea went on to win the competition, but his first campaign in England was subsequently disrupted by injury.

The 21-year-old had arrived at Stamford Bridge with considerable senior experience despite his age. He became Sporting’s youngest-ever first-team player when he made his debut at 16 and later spent loan spells with Chaves in Portugal and Las Palmas in LaLiga before completing his move to Chelsea.

His long-term future remains tied to the Premier League club, with his Chelsea contract running until 2033.

Strasbourg have undergone another significant summer rebuild and Essugo was among several additions completed in the closing hours of the French transfer window. The loan gives the midfielder an opportunity to secure regular senior minutes in Ligue 1 while Chelsea retain control of his longer-term development.

The transfer is complete and official rather than awaiting further formalities: Chelsea have confirmed Essugo’s season-long departure and the midfielder will spend the 2026/27 campaign with Strasbourg.