Chelsea secures Joao Pedro’s long‑term future and No. 9 shirt

Brazil striker Joao Pedro celebrated his second goal for FC Chelsea in the English Premier League clash with Newcastle United in Newcastle, England, on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, as the club confirmed his new contract running to 2034 and his adoption of the coveted No. 9 shirt.

The match, part of the English Premier League, pitted Newcastle United against FC Chelsea in Newcastle. Chelsea’s Brazilian forward Joao Pedro found the net for his side’s second goal, prompting a celebration captured by photographer Owen Humphreys/PA via AP.

New long‑term deal and No. 9 shirt

On Saturday, Chelsea announced that Joao Pedro has signed a new contract extending his stay until 2034. The deal improves on his previous agreement, which was signed after his move from Brighton a year ago and was set to run until 2032 with an optional extra year. The extension recognises his impact in his debut season, where he finished with 20 goals.

Pedro said, “I always dreamed of playing for a big club, and it means a lot to me to give my long‑term commitment to this club,” adding that “Chelsea has a long tradition of winning and it has big ambitions for the future.” He made the comments in LONDON — the city where the club announced the deal.

The 24‑year‑old was a surprise omission from Brazil’s squad for this summer’s World Cup. He is set to begin the season as newly hired manager Xabi Alonso’s first‑choice striker.

Newly appointed manager Xabi Alonso has named Pedro his first‑choice striker for the upcoming campaign. Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson have been made available for transfer, while Danny Welbeck, who signed in July from Brighton, is also in contention for the opening Premier League fixture away to Fulham on Monday.

History of the No. 9 shirt at Chelsea

Pedro inherited the No. 9 jersey previously worn by Delap. Thirteen players have struggled to make a prolonged impact in the shirt since its iconic use by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Among those were three club‑record signings up front, including Fernando Torres, and Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz, leading to the so‑called “curse of Khalid Boulahrouz.”