Brentford defender Mads Bech has joined OGC Nice on loan.

The Danish youth international completed the move today, Wednesday 1 September, prior to the closure of the Transfer Window.

will spend the season with the Ligue 1 side and could make his debut in a local derby against AS Monaco on Sunday.

Phil Giles, Brentford Director of Football, said: “Mads has done a great job for us, particularly in the past couple of seasons. We have added to our defensive options this summer, especially in the centre of defence and it was looking likely that game time for Mads may be limited. We discussed with him whether a loan might be the best option.

“This is a great opportunity for him. He is going to a top flight club in a top European league and will have to fight for his place in the team. There will be some fantastic games for him to be involved in and a chance to experience a different environment. I wish Mads all the best and look forward to watching his progress.”

Nice finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season and qualified for the UEFA Europa League. They have taken five points from their first five games but did reach the Group Stage of the Europa League. They will host 1.FC Köln in their first Group D game next week.

Mads has been with us since 2017. He was signed initially as part of the Brentford B group and progressed to the First Team and has racked up 70 games. He has also gained experience out on loan at AFC Wimbledon.

The 23-year-old made his debut at the start of the 2018/19 season in an EFL Cup win at Southend United, but his breakthrough came in 2020.

He spent the early months on loan at AFC Wimbledon, but his game time was affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, which halted the Sky Bet League One season.

He was part of our squad that won promotion to the Premier League in the 2020/21 season, playing 39 games in all competitions. He started 32 Sky Bet Championship games that season as we finished third and won the Play-Off final.

Mads picked up an injury at the start of our first Premier League season but made 15 appearances last term, 11 in the top flight. He has appeared in two of our Premier League matches so far this season.

Mads has played for Denmark at under-18, under-19 and under-21 level and has earned 28 youth international caps for his country.