Gael Kakuta has committed himself to Chelsea until 2015 after signing a four and a half year contract extension with the Blues. Kakuta, widely regarded as the jewel of Chelsea's farm system, was the subject of a prolonged scandal regarding his original transfer from French Ligue Un side Lens, a situation which resulted in FIFA temporarily imposing a transfer embargo on Chelsea before the Court of Arbitration of Sport overturned the sanctions following a settlement between Lens and the London club.
Kakuta, who's made several starts for the first team, was on a contract due to expire at the end of the season. His new deal is rumoured to be worth around £40,000 per week. The 19 year-old was ecstatic to sign his first major deal with the club:
Since I signed for Chelsea when I was 16 all I was thinking about was to get to the first team. Now I have been playing a few times with the first team and I have signed for four-and-a-half more years I have to make a way for myself into the starting 11, and make my dream come true.
-Gael Kakuta. Source: Chelsea FC.
It was reported earlier this morning that Kakuta was set to leave Chelsea on loan for the remainder of the season in order to garner more first-team experience, a move which makes far more sense now that the winger's deal does not expire at the end of May.
Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic is rumoured to be the next target for a long-term contract extension.