Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2034, the Premier League club announced on Saturday.
The new agreement secures the future of the 24-year-old Brazil forward after a season in which he scored 20 goals in all competitions for Chelsea. Joao Pedro had reportedly attracted interest from several leading clubs before committing his long-term future to the London side.
“I always dreamed of playing for a big club, and it means a lot to me to give my long-term commitment to this club,” Pedro said in a statement.
Joao Pedro joined Chelsea from Brighton last year and quickly established himself as an important attacking player for the club. His 20 goals across all competitions marked a significant contribution during his first season after the move.
The contract extension means he is now set to remain at Stamford Bridge until 2034, giving Chelsea a long-term commitment from a forward who had been the subject of reported interest elsewhere.
His new deal comes despite his surprise omission from Brazil’s squad for this summer’s World Cup. The 24-year-old was not included in the national team selected for the tournament, but his club future has now been settled with Chelsea.
Joao Pedro’s decision to stay represents a major commitment to the club he described as a “big club” in his statement. Chelsea signed him from Brighton last year, and he has since produced 20 goals in all competitions.
Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign on Monday, when they travel to Fulham. The opening fixture will be the club’s first league match since Joao Pedro agreed to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
The length of the contract underlines Chelsea’s desire to retain the forward beyond the immediate season and into the next decade. Joao Pedro will remain tied to the club until 2034, while Chelsea prepare to open their Premier League campaign against Fulham.
His agreement also ends the uncertainty created by reports of interest from several top clubs. Rather than leave Chelsea after his first season following the move from Brighton, Joao Pedro has chosen to continue his career at Stamford Bridge.
The forward’s 20 goals in all competitions formed the basis of his first campaign with Chelsea, and his contract extension ensures the club will retain a player who remains only 24 years old. It also gives Joao Pedro a fixed long-term future at the club despite not being selected in Brazil’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Chelsea announced the extension on Saturday, two days before their Premier League opener at Fulham. The club will therefore start the new campaign with Joao Pedro committed to a deal that runs until 2034.
