Kendry Páez joins Strasbourg!
He's still only 18 years-old, but Kendry Páez is considered as one of the brightest young talents to come out of South America. The Ecuadorian attacker joins Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace on a season-long loan from Premier League club Chelsea.
Páez officially signed for Chelsea in 2023 from Independiente del Valle but was unable to move to Europe until his 18th birthday. The Ecuadorian starlet now begins his European adventure with Strasbourg in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
AT A GLANCE: Kendry Páez (RC Strasbourg)
Age: 18
Position: Attacking midfielder / Winger
Clubs: Independiente del Valle, Chelsea, Strasbourg (loan)
Honours: Copa Sudamericana (21-22), Recopa Sudamericana (22-23), Ecuador Supercup (22/23)
The youngest player ever to score for Ecuador
Páez became the youngest player ever to score for the Ecuador senior national team at just 16 years old, and has since made 18 appearances and scored twice for La Tri. For Independiente the youngster made 51 appearances and scored 12 goals from 2023 until 2025 when he was able to make the move to Europe.
Paez won't be the only Chelsea player joining Strasbourg this summer, as Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders was also announced as a loan signing for the 2025-2026 season, in order to replace the outstanding Djordje Petrovic who departed the club for the Premier League.
The Ecuadorian youngster will follow in the footsteps of Andrey Santos, who has returned to Chelsea. The Brazilian impressed last season in Ligue 1 McDonald's, making 45 appearances and scoring 12 goals as RCSA went on to secure a play-off qualifying spot for the UEFA Conference League.
Strasbourg will face a derby clash against FC Metz in the opening game of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season before having to undertake the UEFA Conference League play-offs in the following week.
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