Thibaut Courtois and Chelsea Agree to 5-Year Contract: Latest Details, Reaction

Chelsea's young goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois signed a new five-year contract with the Stamford Bridge outfit Thursday, committing the Belgian to the club until 2019.   

Chelsea's Twitter feed confirmed what is terrific news for Blues fans considering the potential that Courtois could be at the club for some time yet:

The 22-year-old spent the last three seasons on loan with Atletico Madrid, but finally returned to make his debut in August for the club he joined in 2011.

In his time playing in La Liga he proved to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He has started ahead of longtime Chelsea No. 1 Petr Cech in all three of their Premier League games so far this season.

Courtois expressed his happiness with signing the new deal, adding that he will now be free to focus solely on his football, per ChelseaFC.com:

"

I’m very happy with this new deal, it’s really nice to have signed this new contract for five years. My future was already sorted but it’s nice to know I’m going to be here for another five years and now I can just concentrate on playing games.

"

The former Genk shot-stopper is already a La Liga, Europa League and Copa del Rey winner from his time at Atletico. He also appeared in the 2014 Champions League final eventually won by Real Madrid.

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Blues boss Jose Mourinho clearly sees Courtois as the long-term No. 1 keeper at Stamford Bridge despite Cech's continued excellence.

Considering Courtois' statistics, it is no surprise that he has been handed such a lengthy contract or that Mourinho favours him. WhoScored.com reports his impressive clean-sheet record:

With John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill in front of him, Courtois is part of arguably one of the best defensive units in the world.

To have performed at such a high level at such a young age is a rarity, particularly for a goalkeeper, but Courtois has passed every test given to him, including stellar performances at the summer's World Cup.

However, such a lengthy extension almost certainly spells the end for Cech at Chelsea, as the 32-year-old is unlikely to secure the No. 1 spot and will not wish to warm the bench, per football writer Nabae Asfar:

Cech has been phenomenal for the Blues since his 2004 arrival and will likely get a move to a top club if he wishes to leave.

But Courtois does seem to be the future for the Blues between the posts and richly deserves the confidence placed in him by the offer of a five-year contract.