First Chelsea player since Hayes announced departure confirms decision on future

02 December 2023 , 14:48

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Chelsea manager Emma Hayes (L) with Guro Reiten (Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Guro Reiten has signed a new contract with Chelsea with the option to extend until 2026, representing the first player in the first-team squad to confirm her future following the announcement of manager Emma Hayes' impending departure at the end of the season.

Reiten, 29, joined Chelsea from Norwegian side LSK Kvinnner in 2019 and has won the WSL in each of her four seasons at Chelsea, as well as three FA Cups and two League Cups..

She last agreed a new deal with the reigning Women's Super League champions in August 2022, with the contract due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.

The Norway star relished her best campaign in the English top-flight yet last season she helped Chelsea to a league and FA Cup double, contributing nine league goals and 11 league assists in the process.

Reiten's figures earned her a place amongst this year's Ballon d'Or Feminin nominations, in which she finished 19th at last month’s ceremony.

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On the new contract, Reiten said: “I’ve been here four years now and I’ve loved every second of it.

"It feels like my second family and I have some really good friends here. I enjoy my time on and off the pitch and there is no place I’d rather be.”

Chelsea general manager Paul Green added: “We’re really happy to give Guro a new deal and reward her for excellent performance. Guro is an important player for us and we look forward to seeing that continue over the upcoming years.”

Emma Hayes will take up her role as the United States women's national team coach next year

Reiten's decision to remain with Chelsea arrives off the back of manager Emma Hayes' announcement that, after 11 years and 13 major trophies with Chelsea, she will be joining the United States women's national team as manager next year to embrace new challenges.

Whether the imminent end of Chelsea's Hayes era would influence players' decisions to remain at the club upon the expiry of their contracts has remained unclear. The contracts of a number of influential Chelsea players expire at the end of this season, with striker Sam Kerr and defender Millie Bright's contracts among the most notable.

Hayes' replacement also remains a much mooted topic, though the 47-year-old has insisted that she will play a key role in the club's hiring of a new manager.

Megan Feringa