Chelsea complete key January transfer window deal for defender

Defender Andreas Christensen has put pen to paper on a new four-and-half-year contract with the defending Premier League champions following his impressive start to the new campaign. The 21-year-old has risen to prominence under manager Antonio Conte this season and has become an important cog in central defence despite the summer arrival of Antonio Rudiger from AS Roma.

He joined the Blues’ youth ranks from Brondby in 2012 but Chelsea sent him out on a two-year loan to Borussia Monchengladbach in July 2015. The centre-back excelled with the Bundesliga side, starting 62 German top-flight matches in two seasons before his return to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The defender, whose new contract will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2022, spoke on the club’s official website:

“It feels really good to sign a new contract and I’m just happy to be committed to Chelsea for the future. I’ve played a lot of games, I’m enjoying it at the club and everything is working well.”

Club director Marina Granovskaia added:

“This contract is a reward for the excellent form Andreas has shown in the first half of the season. He showed immense potential when he signed for Chelsea in 2012 and is now enjoying the benefits of the dedication and professionalism he has shown since.

“After two seasons on loan in Germany we were convinced he was ready to be a part of the squad this season and he has grasped the opportunity with both hands. We are delighted he has chosen to commit his future to Chelsea and we look forward to four-and-a-half more successful years with Andreas at the club.”

The Dane has already made 16 appearances in the Premier League and 22 overall this season, usurping the experienced David Luiz to become a regular member of Conte’s starting line-up. Conte described Christensen as “Chelsea’s greatest surprise of the season” last month and his form has earned him a new contract, which should cement his status as a success story from the west Londoners’ academy.

Christensen, who came to England from Brondby was a part of Chelsea’s successful FA Youth Cup and Under-21 Premier League squad in 2014. The Denmark international has been earmarked to replace Blues legend John Terry, who now plies his trade in the EFL Championship with Aston Villa.

Christensen is undoubtedly a sublime talent and showed great composure and maturity during his time with the Bundesliga side, helping him develop into a player of the necessary standard to excel with the Premier League champions.

We wish you good luck, Andreas!