Reece James Signs New Six-Year Contract as Chelsea Captain

Chelsea's captain, Reece James, has secured a new six-year contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

At 26 years old, James has been a part of Chelsea's youth system and made his first-team debut for the club in September 2019.

According to initial reports by The Athletic, this new deal includes an incentive-based structure tied to both individual and team performances.

With a salary of £250,000 per week, James now stands as Chelsea's highest-paid player.

His previous agreement was set to run until 2028, making his renewal a top priority for the club. He initially signed that contract shortly after Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over in 2022.

This season, James has been a key player, starting in 19 of his 26 Premier League appearances, contributing to a total of 225 matches for Chelsea.

Negotiations on the new deal advanced swiftly, with James reportedly pleased with his recovery progress from a series of injuries that have affected previous seasons.

In December 2023, he underwent surgery aimed at addressing a persistent hamstring issue.

James celebrated winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, in addition to the UEFA Super Cup the same year, as well as the 2025 Conference League and Club World Cup. He has been the team's captain for three years.

If he maintains his fitness and form, James is expected to be the starting right-back for England in the upcoming World Cup finals set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States over the summer.