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James agrees new six-year contract at Chelsea

Reece James applauding Chelsea's supporters after defeat at Paris St-GermainGetty Images

Nizaar Kinsella

Football reporter

Chelsea captain Reece James has agreed a new six‑year deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

The 26‑year‑old is a youth product at Chelsea and made his first-team debut for the Blues in September 2019.

His new agreement - first reported by The Athletic - is understood to retain an incentive‑based structure linked to individual and team performance.

The England international is Chelsea's highest‑paid player on £250,000 a week.

James' deal was due to expire in 2028, making him one of the club's priorities for a renewal. He signed that contract shortly after the takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022.

He has been a starter for 19 of his 26 Premier League appearances with the Blues this season and has made 225 appearances in total for the club.

James won the Champions League in 2021 with Chelsea, along with the Uefa Super Cup in the same year and the 2025 Conference League and Club World Cup, and was named captain three years ago.

Talks are thought to have progressed quickly, with James encouraged by how his recovery from a series of injuries has developed after several disrupted seasons.

He underwent surgery in December 2023 in an attempt to fix a recurring hamstring injury.

On the pitch, he has been effective in full-back and midfield roles.

It is understood he has impressed with improvements in his leadership since early criticism under former head coach Enzo Maresca.

James has stated that earning a place in England's 2026 World Cup squad is a major goal, having missed the last two tournaments through injury.

He played in the qualification matches against Albania and Latvia in early 2025 after a two-year international absence.

He withdrew from the squad for October's friendlies against Wales and Latvia with injury, but he returned in November and played in the 2-0 win against Serbia at Wembley.