OFFICIAL: Chelsea announce Levi Colwill has signed a new six-year contract, with an option for a further year, for a total of seven years.
The club announcement:
An academy graduate who started training with Chelsea at the age of eight, Colwill has established himself as one of the standout young central defenders in European football and this summer helped England win the European Under-21 Championship.
The 20-year-old has featured throughout pre-season under head coach Mauricio Pochettino and has now extended his stay at Stamford Bridge.
‘It’s always been an easy decision,’ said Colwill. ‘As I’ve grown up, all I’ve known is Chelsea. I’ve spoken with the manager and he’s given me reassurance, that trust I needed. He’s spoken with me not just as a player but a person. It’s made a big difference.’
Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: ‘Levi is an outstanding player who has risen to every challenge in his career so far. We are thrilled he will remain at Chelsea for years to come.
‘His journey from academy to first team is testament to his talent, dedication, and determination. Everyone at the club is now looking forward to watching him thrive at Stamford Bridge in the seasons ahead.’
Colwill signed with Chelsea as an Under-9 and progressed through the academy ranks at Cobham. He became a regular for the Under-18s during the curtailed 2019/20 campaign and featured five times for the Development Squad.
He became a fixture in the Development Squad defence the following season despite only being 17 years old for much of the campaign. Colwill’s defensive instincts and smart use of the ball stood out and he earned a loan move to Championship side Huddersfield Town ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Colwill needed little time to adapt to the men’s game. He made 32 appearances in all competitions for Huddersfield, who reached the Championship play-off final. The Terriers were narrowly beaten by Nottingham Forest at Wembley.
After training with the Chelsea first-team squad last summer Colwill continued his development on loan at Brighton and Hove Albion. He made 22 appearances for the Seagulls and impressed in the heart of defence. The defender helped the club to sixth, their best-ever Premier League finish.
He then joined up with the England Under-21 squad and was part of a defence that didn’t concede a single goal on route to claiming the European Championship. Colwill was subsequently named in the Team of the Tournament by UEFA.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Brighton, and the Seagulls had been keen to re-sign him permanently this summer.
They had bids of £30million and £40m rejected by the Blues, while Liverpool also registered interest in signing the 20-year-old.
But Colwill has now committed his long-term future to Chelsea, by signing a new until 2029, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months, and is set to earn over £100,000-a-week.
Explaining his decision, Colwill revealed that conversations with manager Mauricio Pochettino convinced him to stay at Chelsea.
It’s always been an easy decision,’ Colwill told Chelsea's official website.
‘As I’ve grown up, all I’ve known is Chelsea. I’ve spoken with the manager and he’s given me reassurance, that trust I needed. He’s spoken with me not just as a player but a person. It’s made a big difference.’
Chelsea's co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley were also delighted to get the new deal over the line.
They added: ‘Levi is an outstanding player who has risen to every challenge in his career so far. We are thrilled he will remain at Chelsea for years to come.
‘His journey from academy to first team is testament to his talent, dedication, and determination. Everyone at the club is now looking forward to watching him thrive at Stamford Bridge in the seasons ahead.’
The youngster is expected to get a fair amount of playing opportunities and will be able to get a head start on his main competition as fellow left-sided centre back Benoit Badiashile remains sidelined by a serious hamstring injury.
It was initially suggested that Chelsea’s £40m move for Axel Disasi of Monaco may affect Colwill's future.
But it is understood the decision to sign the Frenchman is linked to Wesley Fofana's absence due to a long-term knee injury.
Disasi will provide cover at right-centre back while Colwill will compete for a starting place on the other side of the central pairing.
Trevoh Chalobah is the most likely defender to depart this summer with Chelsea willing to listen to offers.
He is valued at £45m by the club and has attracted interest from Inter Milan and West Ham.
Colwill was part of England's triumphant Under-21 side that won the European Championship this summer, and will now be looking to push towards earning his first senior cap.
Colwill trained with Gareth Southgate's men at the end of last season, and has just under 12 months to stake a claim for a place in the squad for next summer's Euros in Germany.