Chelsea and United States defender Matt Miazga is on his way to France to finalize a season-long loan move to Ligue 1 side Nantes, a source confirmed to ESPN FC.

If all goes as expected, including the completion of a medical, Miazga will spend the 2018-19 season with the Canaries.

Caen, who narrowly avoided relegation from Ligue 1 last season, had also been chasing Miazga, but the U.S. international ultimately decided to go with Nantes, who finished ninth in May.

Foot Mercato was the first to report the link between Miazga and Nantes, the former club of U.S. midfielder Alejandro Bedoya.

Matt Miazga. VI Images via Getty Images

Miazga, 23, has officially been a Chelsea player since being transferred from the New York Red Bulls in January of 2016, though he has spent the last two seasons on loan with Dutch side Vitesse.

Miazga's spell in the Eredivisie saw him make 72 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals. He also helped lead Vitesse to the 2017 KNVB Cup, the first major trophy in the club's history.

At international level, Miazga has increased his profile during the current calendar year, making seven appearances and scoring one goal.

The move to France should provide a valuable step in competition for Miazga as he looks to advance his career and cement his place in the U.S. starting lineup.