Chelsea have confirmed that defender Tomas Kalas has signed a new three year deal with the club.

The new deal means that Jose Mourinho values the Czech Republic international as a player with a long term future at Stamford Bridge.

Tomas Kalas has made just two Premier League starts for Chelsea and managed to impress greatly during his side’s 2-0 win at Liverpool in April 2014 on his debut. He will spend the 2015/16 campaign out on loan at Middlesbrough, a club where he made 17 league appearances last season whilst on loan.

The 22-year-old defender moved to Chelsea in January 2011 from home town club Sigma Olomouc in the Czech Republic. As well as his loan move to Middlesbrough, Kalas has also spent time on loan at Vitesse Arnhem and FC Cologne.

The news will give a great lift to Chelsea fans, who see Kalas as a player with great potential. The deal will put the potential transfer of John Stones into the spotlight though, as news breaking this morning claims that Mourinho will not make a higher bid than £26 million, despite Everton insisting on at least £30 million.

Kalas’ versatility means he can operate at both full back and centre back, so perhaps the Czech international has a bright future ahead of him at Stamford Bridge.