Premier League side Chelsea has sent United States goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina on a season-long loan to Belgium. Slonina will suit up for KAS Eupen, where he is expected to be the first choice between the posts in 2023-24.
According to available information, the agreement between Chelsea and Eupen doesn’t include a clause for a permanent transfer. The London club likely wants Slonina to gain some first-team experience at a high level before giving him a chance.
Slonina made his professional debut with Chicago Fire in 2021 at 17. His good performances in MLS captured the attention of Chelsea, who acquired him in a $10 million transfer in the summer of 2022. Slonina ended up finishing the 2022 MLS season with Chicago before officially joining Chelsea at the beginning of this year.
Slonina hasn’t made a single appearance with Chelsea but has been given his United States senior team debut in January. He featured in a 2-1 friendly loss to Serbia.
“It is a unique opportunity for KAS Eupen to sign a goalkeeper with the talent and class of Gabriel Slonina for one season,” said Eupen’s general director Christoph Henkel in a statement. “After all, before his transfer to Chelsea FC, several top European clubs were also interested in signing him. We are looking forward to working with Gabriel Slonina and are confident that he will give our team support and help us to achieve the goals of this season.
