Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has agreed a new deal that, when club options are included, ties him to the Blues until 2034.
The 24-year-old Brazil international arrived from Brighton last summer for an initial £55m, with a further £5m in potential add-ons. He hit 20 goals across all competitions in his debut season and played a major part in Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph.
Joao Pedro said he’s thrilled to extend his stay, adding that playing for a major club had long been his ambition and that Chelsea’s winning tradition and future goals were key factors. He described a buoyant mood around the squad and praised a coach with a proven winning mentality.
When he first signed, Chelsea announced his contract as running to 2033, though it actually ran to 2032 with a one-year option. The club typically includes its option years in official announcements. In the same vein, the new agreement is being presented as running to 2034, while the base term is to 2032 with an additional two-year option. In practical terms, Chelsea have improved and extended his deal, not shortened it.
The approach both safeguards the club’s investment—Barcelona have shown interest in the forward—and rewards performance. Chelsea maintain a strict wage structure but allow players to move into higher bands for standout displays, as seen with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson following their strong form.
Last season, Joao Pedro became the first Chelsea No 9 since Diego Costa to reach 20 goals in a campaign without taking penalties. He also scored three times during the Club World Cup run and has eight goals in seven pre-season outings.
He is expected to lead the line in Chelsea’s Premier League opener at Fulham on Monday, with new arrivals Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha set to offer depth. His rise has earned him the number nine shirt, which Liam Delap has given up. Delap is available for around £50m and has interest from Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.
Chelsea plan to negotiate further extensions for key players after the transfer window closes, with Levi Colwill and Estevao Willian among those in line.