James\u2019 previous deal with the London club was due to expire in 2028, but Chelsea moved early to secure the future of their skipper by extending his contract before it entered its final stages.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A product of Chelsea\u2019s academy, James first joined the club as a six-year-old and has since risen through the ranks to become one of the key figures in the first team. The England player has made 225 appearances across all competitions since making his senior debut in 2019 and was appointed club captain in 2023.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The right-back has already enjoyed considerable success at Stamford Bridge, winning five major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League title in 2021. Despite those achievements, the 24-year-old believes his best years are still ahead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am over the moon to have extended my contract \u2013 Chelsea means so much to me,\u201d he told the club\u2019s official website.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI have 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\u2019m excited for the future under this ownership, sporting directors, coach and all the staff, and hopefully we will lift many more trophies together over the coming years,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chelsea\u2019s sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, hailed the extension as a significant moment for the club.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOn behalf of ownership and everyone connected to Chelsea, it is a proud moment for all of us to have Reece extend his contract,\u201d they said in a joint statement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe is the leader of this team, both on and off the pitch.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The ongoing season has been James\u2019 most consistent in terms of playing time after injuries to his knee and hamstring disrupted much of the previous two campaigns.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe is the leader of this team, both on and off the pitch.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former England defender Kyle Walker recently backed James to become the national team\u2019s first-choice right-back following his own international retirement, describing the Chelsea captain as a 'complete' player.<\/p>\r\n\r\n