Reece James signs new six-year Chelsea contract
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
- 11 min read
Chelsea have announced that Reece James has signed a new six-year contract with the club, with the final 12 months of that being based on an option.
The 22-year-old's previous deal expired in 2025 but there was a sense that it had not grown with his increased status at Stamford Bridge, where he is now the undisputed starter on the right side of the defence.
Indeed, transfer interest had been raised by Real Madrid and it was thought that by next summer a deal might have been possible for the Bernabeu club.
James, though, has put an emphatic end to such speculation linking him away from the Blues by signing on until 2027 with the possibility of going to 2028.
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Reece James told the club's official website: "I am over the moon with my new contract and I’m thankful for the fans, the new ownership and everyone involved in the club. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, and I am sure we will have the chance of winning many trophies.
"I grew up supporting this club and I’ve been here since I was a six-year-old. I put pen to paper on a new deal because this is the club I want to be at. I’d like to say a special thanks to the fans, I am here to stay and we have a bright future ahead of us."
Chairman Todd Boehly added: "We are thrilled to give Reece a new long-term contract at Chelsea. He is an outstanding player and a true Chelsea man, and we are all looking forward to watching him continue to flourish at Stamford Bridge."
The latest part of Chelsea's long-term plan
James is already one of the most valuable wing-backs in the world, according to FootballTransfers' estimates, which put a value of €46m on his head. This, however, will rise given his new commitment to Chelsea.
Reece James: Chelsea performance 21/22
Meanwhile, his signature is the latest step that Chelsea and Boehly have taken toward securing the long-term future for the club. Following the takeover by the American's consortium in the summer, the Blues spent a world-leading amount on transfers. Their next step, meanwhile, is to tie Mason Mount down to a new contract.
