Chelsea's New Longest-Serving Player Has Never Worn a Blues Shirt Despite 7 Years at the Club
Ending a 22-year spell at Stamford Bridge this summer, club legend John Terry joined Championship side Aston Villa so he wouldn't have to face his former side next season. Following his departure, 24-year-old goalkeeper Matej Delac has taken over the reigns as Chelsea's longest-serving player.
Signed in 2010 from NK Inter Zapresic in a deal worth £2.5m, Delac was one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe. The former Croatian youth international has had an outstanding 10 loan spells with eight different clubs during his seven years at the club.
The Bosnian-born keeper was first shipped out to Vitesse Arnhem following his arrival at Chelsea as a 17-year-old. Over the next four years, Delac was on the books with Dynamo Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic), Vitória Guimarães (Portugal), Inter Zapresic (Croatia), FK Vojvodina Novi Sad (Serbia) and FK Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Over the last three years, Delac has had a short term loan with French side AC Arlésien and two more loan spells with Bosnian side Sarajevo. Last season, the Croatian goalkeeper spent the year in Belgium with Pro League side Mouscron.
Delac's contract is due to run out next season at Stamford Bridge and the 24-year-old will likely be moved on by Chelsea. The signing of Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero has all but confirmed that the once promising young goalkeeper still isn't ready to make the step up into the Premier League with Chelsea.
