Former Chelsea midfielder Barkley joins Nice on free transfer

The 28-year-old, who made 100 appearances for the Premier League side in all competitions after moving from boyhood club Everton in 2018, was presented before Nice fans ahead of their 1-0 home defeat by Monaco.

"Midfielder Ross Barkley has joined OGC Nice on a free transfer after four-and-a-half years 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."

Barkley becomes the 13th signing in a busy transfer window for Nice that has also seen the arrivals of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, midfielder Aaron Ramsey and winger Nicolas Pepe.

Capped 33 times by England, Barkley won the FA Cup, Europa League and Club World Cup with Chelsea but failed to cement a regular spot in the team, spending a season on loan at Aston Villa.

Sunday's defeat left Nice in 16th place with five points from six games. They host German side Cologne in their Europa Conference League group opener on Thursday.