The Sydney Swans have landed an enormous contract coup, securing the signature of Errol Gulden – one of the AFL’s top young superstars – with a new long-term contract extension.
AFL 360 and foxfooty.com.au can reveal Gulden, 21, has extended his deal by four years, tying him to the Swans until at least the end of 2028.
It’s a significant list win for the Swans, considering Gulden loomed as one of the biggest names in the league who was, previously, unsigned beyond this season.
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Gulden confirmed on AFL 360 he was offered a 10-year contract by a rival club during the re-signing process.
“That’s a very long time … I haven’t even played four years in the AFL yet, it was almost half my life,” he said.
Nine’s Braden Ingram reported Adelaide was the club who offered the 10-year deal.
Gulden continued: “At the end of the day, I think four years was the right option for me and for the club.
“It gives them a bit of security over the next four years, but it also allows me to concentrate on my footy and not worry about what the future holds for the timebeing while also leaving a bit up to me that I do have to perform as well, because hopefully I’ll be able to get another contract after that. It’s up to me to keep performing.”
A Swans academy graduate who was drafted with Pick 32 in 2020, Gulden in recent seasons has remarkably emerged as one of the AFL’s best players.
His breakout 2023 campaign was breathtaking, earning his maiden All-Australian blazer, winning the Swans’ best and fairest award and finishing fourth in the Brownlow Medal count.
Gulden said he felt “honoured” by the club’s faith in him.
“From 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,” Gulden said.
“I 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.
“We’re building something special here and I’m grateful to be a part of the journey.”
Swans football boss Leon Cameron said Gulden was “a core part of our club’s future”.
“His 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,” Cameron said.
“His 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.”
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