Reece James has signed a new long-term contract with Chelsea that will keep the defender at Stamford Bridge until 2032, the club announced on Friday.
A product of the club’s academy, James joined Chelsea’s development center as a six-year-old and has since progressed to captain the senior side. The right-back played more than two hundred games for the Blues and led the team more than fifty times.
During his time at the London club, James has won five major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League in 2021 and the FIFA Club World Cup twice.
«I’m over the moon to have extended my contract. Chelsea means so much to me,» said James. “I’ve always said I want my peak years to be here, and I truly believe we have everything it takes to build on our previous successes.
“I am excited about the future under this ownership, the sporting directors, the coach and the entire staff, and hopefully we will win many more trophies together in the coming years.”
Chelsea sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart described the extension as a proud moment for the club.
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“He is the leader of this team, both on and off the field,” they said in a joint statement. “Reece knows what it means to wear this badge and now that he has committed his long-term future to Chelsea, we look forward to continuing the journey and working together towards further success.”
James made his Under-18 debut for Chelsea during the 2015–16 season and played a key role in the youth side’s treble-winning campaign the following year. Read more: mnb6. He signed his first professional contract in March 2017 and later managed the team that won the FA Youth Cup, as well as being named the club’s Academy Player of the Season.
He marked his senior debut with a goal in a League Cup win over Grimsby Town FC and later scored in a memorable Champions League match against AFC Ajax.
James established himself as a first-team regular in the following season, also earning his first senior caps for the England national football team. He made 47 appearances during the 2020/21 season, highlighted by Chelsea’s Champions League victory over Manchester City FC in Porto.
The defender was named club captain ahead of the 2023/2024 season and has since managed the Blues 54 times, helping to win the UEFA Europa Conference League and another FIFA Club World Cup title last year.
Published on March 13, 2026
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