Levi Colwill signs six-year deal with Chelsea, as the Blues fend off interest from Liverpool and Brighton to keep the highly-rated defender at Stamford Bridge
- Levi Colwill has signed a six-year deal with Chelsea worth over £100k-a-week
- The 20-year-old is expected to get plenty of playing opportunities next season
- Brighton and Liverpool were keen to sign him, but he is staying at Chelsea
Highly-rated defender Levi Colwill has put pen to paper on a new six-year contract at Chelsea.
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.
Levi Colwill has signed a new long-term contract to commit his future to Chelsea
Brighton were keen on bringing Colwill back to the south coast but Chelsea rejected two bids
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.
Levi Colwill is expected to be given first team opportunities at Chelsea this season
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.
