After months of rumours that he would be departing after his contract ran out this summer, Ola Aina put said rumours to bed by signing a new four-year deal with Chelsea.
The 19-year old joined Chelsea at the age of 11 and has progressed through the ranks with the Blues, recently joining up with the first team. Aina, who is now an England U20 international, was a key part of the Chelsea youth sides that won two FA Youth Cups, two UEFA Youth Leagues and an U21 Premier League title.
The young defender spoke to Chelsea TV after agreeing to a new deal, saying, "Signing a new deal is always a blessing, especially at a big club like this. I am happy and I need to hit the ground running again."
He added, "The club is close to my heart, they have helped me a lot and I am really thankful for that...Over the next four years I want to become a much better and established player."
Four more years
He went on to say his ultimate goal is "to break into Chelsea's first team" and with plenty of questions still surrounding Chelsea's defence heading into the new campaign, his first team chances could come sooner rather than later.
The extension is important for Aina, who deserves his chances at Chelsea, and for the club itself as they retain one of their highly rated academy products.
Pre-season is set to get underway in the next couple of weeks with Chelsea travelling to Austria to face Rapid Vienna and Aina may find himself on the team sheet for Antonio Conte's first match in charge. There remains an abundance of experience in the way of Aina's road to the starting lineup but a successful pre-season could see Conte give the highly-rated defender chances to impress.