Chelsea Midfielder Kendry Páez Joins River Plate on Loan

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder returns from Strasbourg loan to sign with Argentine club

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:55pm

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Chelsea midfielder Kendry Páez has agreed to a season-long loan deal with Argentine club River Plate, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Páez, 19, was previously on loan at French club Strasbourg, but the move did not work out. Chelsea has recalled Páez from that loan and sent him to River Plate in what is described as an "ideal solution for his development."

Why it matters

Páez is considered a highly-rated young talent, and this loan move to a top Argentine club like River Plate should provide him with more playing time and a better environment to continue his development. Chelsea is looking to manage the careers of its promising young players carefully, and this loan appears to be part of that strategy.

The details

According to Romano's report, River Plate has agreed a deal to sign Páez on a season-long loan from Chelsea. Chelsea has recalled the 19-year-old attacking midfielder from his previous loan spell at Strasbourg, where things were not going well. The move to River Plate is described as an "ideal solution for his development" as Chelsea looks to find the right environment for Páez to continue progressing as a player.

  • On January 29, 2026, Chelsea beat Napoli 3-2 in the Champions League.
  • Also on January 29, 2026, the news of Kendry Páez's loan move to River Plate was reported.

The players

Kendry Páez

A 19-year-old attacking midfielder who is considered a highly-rated young talent in Chelsea's system.

Fabrizio Romano

A prominent soccer transfer news expert who reported the exclusive news of Páez's loan move to River Plate.

River Plate

A top Argentine soccer club that has agreed to sign Kendry Páez on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

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What they’re saying

“River Plate agree deal to sign Kendry Páez on loan from Chelsea, here we go!”

— Fabrizio Romano, Transfer Expert

What’s next

Páez will now travel to Buenos Aires to undergo a medical with River Plate before officially completing the season-long loan move.

The takeaway

This loan move represents an important step in the development of Chelsea's young midfielder Kendry Páez. By sending him to a top club like River Plate, Chelsea is providing Páez with an opportunity to gain valuable playing time and experience that should aid his long-term growth as a player.