Lauren James has penned a new deal with Chelsea amid a spectacular season for the 21-year-old.
James, who has cemented herself in the England squad in the last year has shown her magic on the pitch to impress Emma Hayes enough to sign a new deal keeping her with the Blues until 2027.
The Chelsea forward has been part of the Chelsea Academy from Under-10s to Under-14s level, possessing a showcase talent that has seen her go from strength to strength in the squad.
Her excellence on the pitch is something she wants to use to inspire the next generation of footballers as she continues to cement herself as a key part of Chelsea's side.
After putting pen to paper on a new deal, the 21-year-old said: "It’s an amazing feeling to extend my stay at the club I love and where I feel most at home. I’m looking forward to the future and I want to reach my full potential.
"I want to be the best version of me as a player and as a person, helping to inspire the next generation. It definitely feels like home and it’s always been the place I’ve wanted to be."
General manager Paul Green commented: "We’re delighted that Lauren has signed an extended deal, she has built on last season and taken another step forward in her development.
‘She is one of the best young players in the world, who is blue through and through. We look forward to seeing her continue to progress and we believe she will go on to achieve big things at the club.’
Despite rising through the youth ranks at Chelsea, James made her debut for Arsenal aged 16 in October 2017. However, she would go on to sign her first professional contract with Manchester United just under a year later.
It was at United that she would make history, netting their first-ever goal in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, ending the 2019/20 campaign as their top scorer with six goals in 12 appearances, resulting in a nomination for the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award.
Since arriving at Kingsmeadow in 2021, James has made 24 appearances for Emma Hayes' side and scored six goals.
