Chelsea have extended Billy Gilmour’s contract until 2024, it has been confirmed.
The midfielder spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Norwich City, but could not save the Canaries from relegation as they finished bottom of the Premier League.
The loan was his first spell away from Chelsea since signing for the Cobham academy from Rangers in 2017.
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The 21-year-old has seen his deal at Stamford Bridge extended by an extra year, the club have now confirmed.
The midfielder has 22 appearances to his name at Chelsea, being part of the first team squad under Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel in the 2020/21 season before departing on loan.
The Scotland international has had a mixed spell at Norwich, with fans criticising him midway through the season amid their poor form, which saw them sent back down to the Championship.
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Gilmour returned to Chelsea briefly in January after sustaining an injury during his loan spell, with Tuchel admitting that they were considering keeping him at Stamford Bridge rather than returning him to his loan spell.
“First of all we check his injury of course, he is our player," Tuchel said in January.
"He is here to have the best examination that we know about the situation and we can decide with him together and Norwich about the treatment and what is going on. We will take the decision. We have not talked so far if he stays or not.”
However, Gilmour was allowed to complete the season with Dean Smith’s side and will now return to Chelsea for pre-season.
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He has been heavily linked with a move to join former boss Lampard at Everton, after they confirmed their Premier League status for next season.
It remains to be seen as to what the future holds for the midfielder, with Chelsea tying down his future until at least 2024 as they look to avoid entering another season with players’ contracts up.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are both departing on free transfers at the expiry of their deals, while N’Golo Kante and Jorginho’s contracts also expire in 2023.
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Chelsea are likely to sit down with the midfield duo to discuss their futures this summer, with Gilmour adding to the longer-term options in midfield with his renewal.
It was previously revealed that both Conor Gallagher and Gilmour are considered as long-term replacements for Kante and Jorginho as they look to impress Tuchel ahead of the new season.
Topics: Billy Gilmour, Chelsea, Norwich City, Football
Nick Emms