Andreas Christensen, Chelsea Agree on 4.5-Year Contract

Chelsea confirmed centre-back Andreas Christensen has signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2022.

The Blues announced the news on Tuesday, and the defender said: "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."    

Christensen has risen to prominence under manager Antonio Conte this season and 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 with Borussia Monchengladbach in July 2015.

The centre-back excelled with the Bundesliga side, starting 62 German top-flight matches across 2015-16 and 2016-17, per WhoScored.com.       

He also notably impressed last season in the UEFA Champions League against Barcelona.

Christensen is comfortable with the ball at his feet and, as well as excelling at centre-back, was well-utilised in central midfield with Gladbach.

He is a huge 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 in west London.

Conte has shown a preference for the Denmark international during David Luiz's recent injury absence, and his new contract suggests there are big plans for him at Stamford Bridge in the years to come.