The highly-rated academy prospect has signed a new long-term contract
Josh Acheampong has committed his future to the Blues signing until 2029
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By RYAN WALKER
Published: 08:29 EST, 18 December 2024 | Updated: 08:30 EST, 18 December 2024
Rising Chelsea academy star Josh Acheampong has signed a new long-term deal that will keep him at the club until 2029 after previously being frozen out amid a contract standoff.
The 18-year-old who been raised in Chelsea's youth system is widely-regarded as one of the club's most exciting youngsters and has been rewarded with a fresh five-year contract.
Having initially joined the club as an Under-8 team player, Acheampong has progressed through the various age levels before making his first-team debut against Tottenham last season.
The new agreement puts an end to what threatened to turn into a toxic situation after the highly-rated right-back was told he wouldn't feature in senior or U21 games until he had committed his future to the club.
It is understood the Premier League side originally thought they had reached an agreement over a new long-term deal, and Chelsea were then baffled when Acheampong did not then follow through on committing to that improved contract.
But, he has now put pen-to-paper on securing his future at the club with the previous situation resolved as Acheampong looks to become a first-team regular.
Rising Chelsea academy star Josh Acheampong has signed a new long-term deal
The 18-year-old made his full senior debut starting in Chelsea's 3-1 Europa Conference League win over Astana last week
The youngster had also been linked with European giants as major as Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund as well as Liverpool
The youngster had also been linked with European giants as major as Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund as well as Liverpool, who frustrated Chelsea when they snagged their Cobham prospect Rio Ngumoha earlier this season.
Meanwhile, supporters have high hopes for Acheampong, with the club believing he has a clear path to becoming a starter in Enzo Maresca's squad as evidenced by Reece James and Levi Colwill who both came through the youth set-up.
He made his full senior debut starting in Chelsea's 3-1 Europa Conference League win over Astana last week alongside several other academy prospects that made the trip to Kazakhstan.
Acheampong could make his second consecutive start in the competition on Thursday evening when Chelsea host Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge.
The blossoming talent has so far made only three first-team appearances for Chelsea but was recently named in the club's Premier League matchday squad for the first time this season in the weekend win over Brentford.