Star midfielder Errol Gulden has extended his time at Sydney for another four years, taking him through to free agency.
Gulden is quickly becoming one of the most damaging players in the AFL and the Swans are happy he'll be in the red and white until the end of 2028.
The 21-year-old said the decision to stay put was an easy one, despite garnering interest from rival clubs.
OHHH, ERROL!
Sydney Swans fans can rejoice, All-Australian midfielder Errol Gulden has put pen to paper ๐
DETAILS: https://t.co/13T5acsJ0W pic.twitter.com/xNqQqDelBJ
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) April 10, 2024
โI feel honoured to have the club put their faith in me for another four years,โ Gulden said.
โFrom my time developing in the Academy to walking through the doors in 2020 as an AFL-listed player, this place has always felt like home to me.
โI started my career alongside names like Buddy Franklin and Josh Kennedy, which is something I don't take for granted. They were greats of this club, and they worked hard to build us young guys up to where we are today. Now I get to keep going on that journey alongside names like Luke Parker, Dane Rampe, and Isaac Heeney.
โWe're building something special here and I'm grateful to be a part of the journey.โ
Sydney EGM of Football Leon Cameron said he is thrilled to see the youngster commit to the club long-term.
โIt's fantastic to see Errol commit his future to the red and white. Errol is a respected member of this playing group and a core part of our club's future,โ said Cameron.
โHis work ethic is something to be admired, he is always looking to improve. He has shown remarkable consistency and continues to perform week in and week out at a high level. It's qualities like these that seen him develop into a natural leader within the playing group.โ
โHis time in the QBE Sydney Swans Academy helped prepare him for life as a professional football player, and you can see that in the success he has already achieved in just three years at the top level.โ
Gulden's started 2024 in red-hot form after a stellar year last season, finishing fourth in the Brownlow Medal.
With rivals coming hard and fast for his services, the midfielder revealed that an opposition club offered a deal of 10 years.
Speaking on Fox Footy'sย AFL360 shortly after signing his new contract, Gulden provided insight into the process.
'I think it was probably a ten year deal.'
Rivals came hard for Errol with a TEN year deal being offered from one club ๐ฎ
๐บWatch #AFL360 on Ch. 504 or stream via @kayosports: https://t.co/7kvglvpWSC pic.twitter.com/Vm9on4sLAB
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) April 10, 2024
The club that offered the decade-long deal is understood to be Adelaide, according toย 9 News reporter Braden Ingram, with the Crows also showing interest in one of Gulden's teammates.
Swan Will Hayward is another player coming out of contract, with both Carlton and Melbourne joining the Crows in lurking in the shadows for the half-forward.
Hayward - who is originally from South Australia - has received interest from Adelaide and Port Adelaide despite Sydney sitting in the box seat to secure his services.
The Swans will also look to lock away key forward Logan McDonald and utility Oliver Florent throughout the year.
Sydney is 4-1 as they enter the first of their two byes (due to their participation in Opening Round).
