Chelsea Football Club has made a significant move to secure one of its most promising young talents, confirming that defender Olutayo Subuloye has signed a new long-term contract. The deal will keep the 18-year-old, who is eligible to represent Nigeria, at Stamford Bridge until the year 2030.
Subuloye's Promising Journey at Stamford Bridge
The new contract is a clear signal of Chelsea's faith in Subuloye's development and potential. The centre-back joined the Blues' academy from Brighton at the under-12 level and has progressed steadily through the ranks. His impressive performances across various youth levels culminated in signing his first professional contract in 2024.
This season, Subuloye has been a consistent figure for Chelsea's youth sides, making 17 appearances and even scoring twice in the Under-18 Premier League. His rapid development earned him a debut for Chelsea’s Under-19 team in the prestigious UEFA Youth League, where he featured in a match against German giants Bayern Munich.
Internationally, Subuloye has already gained experience with England's Under-18 squad. However, he remains fully eligible to switch his allegiance to Nigeria, a fact that has undoubtedly caught the attention of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). He now joins a growing contingent of Nigeria-eligible players at Chelsea, which includes senior defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
Chelsea's Strategy: Building from Within
Chelsea's decision to tie down Subuloye reflects a broader strategy at the club, which emphasizes nurturing and protecting homegrown talent. While the club continues to be linked with other defensive reinforcements like Jeremy Jacquet and Jacobo Ramon, securing their own academy products remains a priority.
This move follows a similar pattern seen recently with winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, who also signed his first professional deal last week. By securing Subuloye's future until 2030, Chelsea ensures continuity in their defensive pipeline and protects an asset they believe can challenge for the senior team in the coming years.
Senior Success and Squad Movements
Away from the academy news, Chelsea's first team provided a boost with a 2-0 Premier League victory over Brentford. This result marked head coach Liam Rosenior's first home league win, with goals from Joao Pedro and a Cole Palmer penalty sealing the three points.
In other squad news, it has been reported that another Nigeria-eligible youngster, forward Tyrique George, is seeking a move away from Chelsea in the January transfer window. The 19-year-old saw potential moves to Fulham and Roma collapse during the summer.
For Olutayo Subuloye, however, the path is clear at Chelsea. His new long-term contract is a vote of confidence and sets the stage for the next phase of his career, with Nigerian football fans eagerly watching his progress.
