Chelsea have announced that striker Armando Broja has signed a new six-year contract with the club.
The 20-year-old enjoyed an impressive loan spell with Southampton last season, and scored nine goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.
Broja's form on the South coast caught the eye of a number of clubs over the summer, including the likes of Frank Lampard's Everton, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Napoli.
However, the Albania international has decided to commit his future to the Blues and is now tied to Stamford Bridge until June 2028.
Speaking to the club's official website after signing his new contract, Broja said: "I'm lost for words really just thinking about it. It's the club I've dreamed of playing for my whole life, the club that I support and the club that I love.
A new deal for Armando Broja! ✍️🔵
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 2, 2022
"I've been here since I was a boy so it's a surreal feeling for me and my family. To be able to put on the blue shirt with the first team is a dream come true.
"It's amazing every minute that you get to play on the pitch because this is one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"There's always competition and everyone wants to play so I'm just happy that I have the opportunity to be a part of it. Hopefully I get to play a lot of matches and be a part of the team's success."
Chairman Todd Boehly added: "We are delighted Armando has committed to Chelsea. He is a young and exciting striker and a big part of our plans moving forward."
Co-controlling owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose E Feliciano said: "Armando has so much talent and we are confident he can fulfil it at Chelsea. We are all looking forward to watching his development this season and beyond."
© Reuters
Broja joined Chelsea's academy in 2009 at the age of eight and he worked his way through the youth ranks before making his professional debut under Lampard in March 2020, coming on as a substitute for a four-minute cameo against Everton.
The striker was then loaned to Dutch outfit Vitesse for the 2020-21 campaign and scored 11 goals in 34 games across all tournaments, before spending last season on loan with Southampton.
Broja, who has been capped 14 times by Albania, is now hoping to break into Thomas Tuchel's first-team plans this term and will be competing for a place up front with the likes of Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling and deadline-day arrival Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Chelsea are also understood to have opened contract talks with full-back Reece James and midfielder Mason Mount, who will see their current deals expire in June 2025 and June 2024 respectively.
Oliver Thomas
