Chelsea have agreed a new contract with young star Alfie Gilchrist.
The academy graduate has been rewarded for a breakthrough season with the first team, which saw him make his senior debut against Crystal Palace in late December and make a further 11 first-team appearances to date.
Gilchrist has started all three of Chelsea's FA Cup ties this season, including against Premier League side Aston Villa, and has penned a new deal which runs until 2026 with the option of a further year.
It is the second new contract of the season for the 20-year-old, having signed a two-year extension in September. Gilchrist, who can play at right-back or centre-back, is a boyhood Chelsea fan.
He told the club’s official website in January: “My grandad and my dad used to have season tickets. They used to go all the time, and my aunty used to go with them as well sometimes. So I obviously support Chelsea as well.
“I remember watching the Champions League final – the first time we won it – in my uncle’s living room. That was a good memory.
“Actually, my dad had a Football Manager game, or whatever it was called back then, and before I was even born, he made a player called ‘Alfie Gilchrist’, who played for Chelsea. He had chosen the name and everything, and he played with that character – as me – at Chelsea. So it’s crazy how it’s come to life.”
Gilchrist signed last week, with an official announcement is expectedly imminently.
Chelsea will hope the news appeases frustrated fans, who endured another disappointing result on the weekend as the Blues were unable to beat 10-man relegation candidates Burnley at home.
