Cole Palmer was given one of the most distinctive contracts in Premier League history, only to be outdone five months later.
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After helping Manchester City secure the treble in 2023, Palmer made a surprise £40 million move to Chelsea—a transfer that caught many off guard, including ex-Man United captain Gary Neville. ..Continue Reading
Palmer quickly rose to prominence at Stamford Bridge, finishing his debut season with 22 goals and 11 assists in the league, earning him the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
He had already committed to a seven-year deal with an optional eighth, but his rapid ascent—including standout performances for England at Euro 2024—prompted Chelsea to extend his contract.
Palmer signed a fresh two-year extension, locking him in until 2033, along with a substantial pay raise.
That deal became the longest in Premier League history—until January 2025, when Erling Haaland signed a record-breaking 10-year contract with Manchester City.
Haaland’s original agreement ran through 2027, but the new terms extended his stay until summer 2034, by which time he’ll be 34 years old.
City’s announcement was seen as a bold move, especially with the club awaiting the outcome of 115 Premier League charges.
While long-term deals are common in other sports, Chelsea’s ownership under Todd Boehly has pushed the envelope in England, with players like Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Nicolas Jackson signing extended contracts.
These lengthy deals are believed to be a strategic way to navigate Premier League financial regulations, as amortization—spreading a player’s cost over the duration of their contract—allows clubs to report lower annual expenses.
Longest ever contracts in football
Andres Iniesta – Barcelona
Lifetime
Iker Casillas – Real Madrid
Lifetime
Raul – Real Madrid
Lifetime
Denilson – Real Betis
10 years
Lionel Messi – Barcelona
Nine years
Cole Palmer – Chelsea
Nine years
Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea
Nine years
Inaki Williams – Athletic Bilbao
Nine years
Mykhailo Mudryk – Chelsea
Eight-and-a-half years
Cesc Fabregas – Arsenal
Eight years
Nicolas Jackson – Chelsea
Eight years (extended by two years in summer of 2024)
Palmer has already justified his new deal by firing Chelsea to the Conference League trophy and scoring a brace as they blitzed Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to win the Club World Cup last week.