Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Chelsea star signs new long-term contract at Stamford Bridge

The 23-year-old England international forced his way into Maurizio Sarri's first-team plans last season making himself a regular for both club and country

Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek has signed a new long-term contract at the club.

The 23-year-old England international, who is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, forced his way into Maurizio Sarri's first-team plans last season making himself a regular for both club and country.

And he has been rewarded with a new five-year deal with the club hopeful he can become a key player for new manager Frank Lampard for years to come.

"I’m really happy and pleased that I get to stay here for another five years," he told the club's official website. "It’s the place where I’ve grown up playing and hopefully I’ll be playing here for a lot longer,’ he said.

"At eight or nine years old, of course you never think you’ll be here for so long because you just want to enjoy yourself and play with your friends.

"When I look back and see how the hard work has paid off, it’s a good feeling. That only makes me want to work harder to achieve more in the future.

"I hope to win a lot more trophies with the team and personally it’s just about trying to do as well as I can and work hard to be a key player for Chelsea."

Marina Granovskaia added: "We see Ruben as an important part of the squad for many years to come and we are very pleased he also considers his future to be with Chelsea.

"He is proof of the fantastic work being done in the Chelsea Academy and in recent seasons has developed into a first-team regular and an England international.

"Under Frank Lampard’s leadership, we believe he will be a key player for Chelsea and we look forward to welcoming him back once he has recovered from his injury."