Former Chelsea midfielder joins Nice on free transfer

England international Ross Barkley, who left Chelsea on a free transfer this summer after reaching a mutual agreement with the club as signed a new deal with French Ligue 1 side Nice.

“Barkley joined OGC Nice on a free transfer after four-and-a-half years spell at Chelsea,” the French club said in a statement.

“Though the summer transfer window closed last Thursday evening in France, he can join the Aiglons as he was out of contract.”

He will join a number of former Premier League players at Nice, including goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who left Leicester City this summer, one-time Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey, and Nicolas Pepe, who joined Nice on loan from the Gunners.

Barkley signed for the Blues as one of English football’s most highly rated players from Everton in 2018 but was unable to impress at the club which made him not to be a regular starter at Stamford Bridge.

He was sent on a long-season loan to Aston Villa in 2020-21.

Barkley during his time at Chelsea made 100 appearances for the west London side and scored 12 goals.