Matt Miazga returns to Vitesse on loan from Chelsea

Chelsea announced on Friday that U.S. international center back Matt Miazga will return to Vitesse Arnhem on loan for the second straight season.

The 22-year-old New Jersey native spent all of last season in the Eredivisie where he appeared in 23 matches for Vitesse and helped them capture their first piece of silverware in club history with a Dutch Cup triumph.

As you probably know by now, Vitesse is a popular destination for members of the famed “Chelsea Loan Army” to end up at. Last season, Miazga was joined by two other Chelsea-owned players. This season, a promising academy player named Mason Mount is already with the Dutch side.

Miazga is coming off a promising Gold Cup run that saw him score a crucial goal in the final group match against Nicaragua that helped the United States win their group and avoid Costa Rica in the quarterfinals.

While this probably isn’t the lofty dream scenario the defender had when signing with Chelsea a couple of years ago, there are worse places than Vitesse to end up at while developing as a professional. Another season in a solid league should do him well and possibly help his chances at nabbing one of the final World Cup roster spots next year.