The trio spent last season playing for our development squad, with McEachran’s performances earning the 18-year-old a place on the bench for our Europa League fixture against MOL Vidi in December and as part of the travelling squad to Baku for the final. An Under-17 World Cup winner with England in 2017, the teenager has been a Chelsea player since the age of eight and now extends his stay until 2022.

Castillo joined from Ajax in the summer of 2016 and has spent the past three years playing for our Academy teams. He claimed a clean sweep of silverware with our Under-18s, winning the national title and FA Youth Cup in his first year in England, before playing his part in our domestic treble success in 2017/18 and featuring throughout our run to the UEFA Youth League final last term.

England Under-19 international Uwakwe will enter his 12th season at the club after agreeing a new deal. Injuries restricted his involvement throughout last term, though he still played a key role in our UEFA Youth League and Premier League 2 campaigns.

Youth team defender Sam McClelland has also signed his first professional contract. The Northern Irish teenager played 20 times for our Under-18s last season.

There are a number of academy graduates departing Stamford Bridge this summer as their contracts come to an end. Todd Kane leaves Chelsea after 18 years at the club, having most recently spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Hull City in the Championship. The defender won the FA Youth Cup in 2012 and the Reserve League title in 2011 while representing our youngsters.

Scotland Under-21 international Ruben Sammut, another player who first signed as a Blue at the age of eight, moves on after experiencing a maiden loan spell at Falkirk last term. He was a two-time winner of the Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League.

Also departing are Marcin Bulka, Joseph Colley, Renedi Masampu, Josimar Quintero, Martell Taylor-Crossdale and Jared Thompson.

Bradley Collins and Fanktay Dabo have already confirmed new destinations, with the goalkeeper signing for Barnsley and the latter switching to Coventry City on permanent deals. Victorian Angban joins Metz on a permanent basis following their promotion to Ligue 1 in France.

We thank them all for their service as Chelsea players and wish them well for their future careers.