Errol Gulden signs four-year contract extension at Sydney

Already one of the game’s best players, a young gun from Sydney has put pen to paper on a long-term deal to stay, rejecting a giant 10-year offer from a rival club.

The future of the Swans’ best player is secured with Academy gun Errol Gulden agreeing to terms on a new four-year contract extension. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sydney superstar Errol Gulden has put pen to paper on a four-year contract extension to remain at the Swans until the end of 2028.

The long-term deal will take the All-Australian wingman through to free agency and also ensure he is out of the picture for the Tasmanian Devils’ first season in the AFL in 2028.

The Academy product has been a revelation for the Swans after they matched a bid for him at pick 32 during the 2020 draft. He has played 72 matches over the past four years, including every game for the club since the start of 2022.

Gulden confirmed in March that negotiations had been progressing well and that it was his intention to remain in Sydney. This masthead also reported that he is set to be on a deal worth $1.1 million in 2025.

The superstar said he was “honoured” to sign on, revealing on AFL 360 he was offered as much as a 10-year deal by a rival side.

“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.

Gulden starred in the Swans’ Gather Round victory over the Eagles with two goals and 25 disposals. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The lethal left-foot kick made his debut for the Swans during the first round of the 2021 season and went on to win the AFLPA award for best first-year player. He was also nominated for the Rising Star award and finished fifth in the voting.

After playing an instrumental role in the Swans’ march to the 2022 grand final, Gulden then had the best season of his career in 2023. Playing predominantly on the wing, he led the competition in average metres gained on top of 27 disposals, five tackles and four clearances a game.

That consistency saw him earn his first All-Australian blazer, while he also finished equal fourth in the Brownlow Medal count with 27 votes – polling in more games than any player in the Swans’ history.

He then capped off the year by becoming the youngest Bob Skilton Medal winner in 43 years, taking out the Swans’ 2023 best and fairest award by more than 250 votes.

Gulden’s re-signing has always been a key priority for the Swans following his incredible 2023 campaign. Amid several major players coming off-contract, there was a sense of inevitability that his deal would always be completed as a local Academy product.

It’s a massive boost for the Swans who have now locked away two important pieces of their midfield this month. James Rowbottom also re-signed with the club on a four-year deal last week which will see the nucleus of the team stay together for the majority of the decade.

At only 21, Gulden has elevated himself to become one of the elite midfielders in the AFL. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Gulden and Rowbottom join the likes of Nick Blakey (2031), Callum Mills (2029), Isaac Heeney (2028) and Tom Papley (2028) all committed to the club for at least the next five seasons. Tom McCartin, Brodie Grundy and Hayden McLean are not far behind with contracts through to the end of 2027.

There is still plenty of work to do for the Swans’ list management team with some big names attracting interest for 2025 and beyond.

Logan McDonald looks set to be next in line to agree to a new deal. McDonald shares the same agent as Gulden, Ben Williams, who indicated last week that the key forward wanted to remain in Sydney.

Will Hayward and Ollie Florent are the two other big names looking to cash in on their next big deal. The Swans are confident they can keep all three remaining players but salary cap pressures will make that job harder.

Hayward is a restricted free agent which means the Swans will get the chance to match any bid from a rival. However, Florent is an unrestricted free agent and could walk if a bigger deal comes his way.

Originally published as Errol Gulden signs four-year contract extension at Sydney