Errol Gulden rejected big offers to extend Sydney Swans contract

Chad Warner (left) and Errol Gulden are part of Sydney’s impressive young brigade. (Photo by Phil Hillyard)

One of the most coveted players in the game, a champion Swans midfielder has revealed an eye-popping offer that came his way.

Gun Sydney midfielder Errol Gulden has pledged his immediate future to the Swans, signing a contract extension with the AFL club.

At just 21 years of age, Gulden is already an All Australian and has made 72 appearances for the Swans and was off contract at the end of this season.

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One of the best kicks in the game, Gulden has added another four years to his current deal and the Swans Academy product is thrilled.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” Gulden said on Fox Footy. “Obviously I love being at this club and it means so much to me and my family.

“To put myself away for four more years after this one I’m just really excited and really proud.”

Gulden conceded he was keen to get the deal done early in the season so he could concentrate on his performance on the field.

Gulden is already one of the best kicks in the competition. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Chad Warner (left) and Errol Gulden are part of Sydney’s impressive young brigade. (Photo by Phil Hillyard)

In his fourth season in the AFL, the Sydneysider is averaging 25 disposals, four clearances and 3.4 tackles per game for the Swans, who are third on the ladder with a 3-1 record.

“These things generally take a bit of time naturally, there’s a couple of loops you have to jump through,” Gulden said of his new deal.

“But it was a goal of mine to get it done early-ish in the season and we’re four or five rounds in now and to get it done is really good and I can put all my attention and focus into playing every weekend and seeing where the season can take us.”

With the end of Gulden’s current deal looming, just about every club in the competition would have inquired about the young midfielder, comfortably one of the best young players in the AFL.

But there was little chance he could be prised out of the red and white.

“I was obviously pretty aware of other clubs and was in constant communication with my manager,” he said.

Gulden credits Swans great Buddy Franklin with helping his development. (AAP Image/Travis Anderson)

“But at the end of the day I love this club so much and they’ve done so much for me from a young age and I just honestly couldn’t see myself playing anywhere else.”

Asked the longest contract offer that came his way, Gulden said: “I think it was probably a 10-year deal and that is a very long time.

“I think for me the ultimate thing was looking forward even just for four years.

“Like I haven’t even played four years in the AFL yet at the highest level and it’s almost half my life 10 years.

“At the end of the day I think four years was the right option for me and for the club as well, it gives them a bit of security over the next four years, but also allows me to focus on my footy and not have to worry what the future holds for the time being.

“It’s also leaving a bit up to me that I do have to perform as well because I’ll be able to get another contract after that, but it is up to me to keep performing and it’s not 10 years locked away and don’t worry about it kind of thing.”

OHHH, ERROL!

Sydney Swans fans can rejoice, All-Australian midfielder Errol Gulden has put pen to paper 😍

DETAILS: https://t.co/13T5acsJ0Wpic.twitter.com/xNqQqDelBJ

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) April 10, 2024

Pick 32 in the 2020 national draft, Gulden played 18 games in his 2021 rookie season, including an elimination final defeat to the Giants.

He then played every game in 2022 and 2023 and credited the likes of Buddy Franklin and Josh Kennedy with helping his development.

Swans football boss Leon Cameron told the club’s website Gulden is “a core part of our club’s future”.

“It’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,” he said.

“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.”