Reece James becomes highest-paid defender in Chelsea history after signed new contract

Reece James the England International, has signed a new contract at Chelsea that will last for 2028. The defender will reportedly be paying at least £250,000 a week under the terms of the new contract, making him the highest-paid defender in the team’s history.

James, a Cobham graduate who began training with us when he was six years old, has become one of the top young players in the premier league.

His skill, crossing ability, positioning and athleticism mean he is as comfortable in midfield or in a back three as he is at wing-back or full-back, and having now committed to the club until 2028, Blues fans can enjoy James’s prodigious talent for many more years to come.

Todd Boehly, chairman of the board, said: “We are delighted to award Reece a new long-term deal with Chelsea.”

He is a fantastic athlete and a true Chelsea supporter, and we are all eager to see him succeed at Stamford Bridge in the future.

The co-controlling owners, Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, said of Reece: “We love having him at Chelsea under our ownership. He is a very special footballer.”

His physical prowess combined with his technical skill will be a huge asset to our team for years to come.

I am over the moon with my new deal, and I’m grateful for the supporters, the new ownership, and everyone at the club, said Reece James.

I am excited to see what the future contains and know that there will be plenty of opportunities for us to win trophies.

I’ve been a fan of this club since I was six years old, and I grew up doing so. Because this is the club I want to be at, I signed a new contract.

We have a bright future ahead of us, and I’d like to especially thank the fans for their support.

Before making his debut in the professional game in 2018–19 while on loan at Wigan Athletic, James, who turns 23 in December, advanced via our development center program and thrived for our Academy teams.

He was a huge hit and won every award given out by the Latics at the end of the season. His Player of the Year vote received an astounding 96% of the total votes cast.

After getting hurt while serving his country that summer, he had to wait until September 2019 to make his Chelsea debut. However, he marked the occasion, a Carabao Cup third-round match against Grimsby, with an outstanding long-range goal.

After that, James was a reliable member of Frank Lampard’s Chelsea team, with equal skill at right wing-back and full-back.

The moment he tied the score against Ajax, becoming our team’s youngest goal scorer in the Champions League, capping a remarkable comeback from a 4-1 deficit, and inciting hysteria inside the Bridge, was his personal highlight.

James began the 2020–21 season with Brighton with an incredible goal, and he concluded it as an England international holding the Champions League trophy.

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He was one of many well-known artists in Porto, further demonstrating his ease on a large platform. Last season, James’ attacking threat from the right wing-back position only grew.

He still managed to score six goals and provide 10 assists across all competitions despite being sidelined for the better part of three months due to a muscle injury, including sweet goals in convincing victories against Juventus and Arsenal as well as a thunderous brace against Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

It was not surprising that his absence was felt greatly in the first few months of this year given that he also scored the winning penalty in two Carabao Cup shootouts.

In our dramatic win at the Bernabeu when Chelsea so nearly overcame a significant first-leg deficit, he struck the eye with his brilliance and composure in playing out from tight areas after regaining health. The European football scene sat up and took notice once more.

James has already made 128 appearances for the Blues, and with this new, extended contract, he will more than double that total over the next few years. Congratulations, Reece