Morgan Rogers has signed a new contract at Aston Villa that runs until 2030.
The Athletic reported last month that the 22-year-old was in talks to sign a Villa contract extension, with the club keen to bring his salary in line with team-mates and to reflect his standing as a key part of Unai Emery’s side.
Rogers’ existing Villa deal had been due to expire in 2029.
The attacking midfielder moved to Villa from Middlesbrough for an initial £8million ($10.1m) plus a further £7m in potential add-ons in January 2024.
He has become an important part of Emery’s squad this season, making 15 appearances in all competitions and providing three goals and three assists. He earned his maiden senior England call-up in November and made his debut in the Nations League victory over Greece.
As The Athletic detailed, the England youth international spent the summer preparing for his first full Villa season with fitness camps abroad and by hiring his own personal chef.
Rogers follows team-mate Jhon Duran in committing his future to Villa after the 20-year-old striker signed a new contract until 2030 in October. Both Rogers and Duran were signed as young players with high potential and, as a result, were initially on a lower salary compared to more experienced team-mates.
Rogers progressed through the West Bromwich Albion academy before joining Manchester City in 2019. He had loan spells at Lincoln City, Bournemouth and Blackpool before his permanent move to Middlesbrough.
GO DEEPER
Morgan Rogers and the value of playing youth football for England
‘Early teething issues have given way to becoming a key cog’
Analysis from The Athletic’s Aston Villa writer Jacob Tanswell
Rogers’ ability to absorb instructions has underpinned his Villa start. Early teething issues have given way to becoming a key cog in a team that was, at times, flagging during an intense period.
The Englishman has been deployed just off Ollie Watkins, with Emery viewing his ball-carrying ability as a key method of driving Villa upfield. Rogers is capable of moving on both feet and was comfortable receiving the ball in the half-spaces while possessing the power to run behind defences.
The England youth international was raised a stone’s throw away from West Brom’s stadium The Hawthorns, playing in the club’s academy until he was 17 before joining Manchester City.
Among his backers at youth level were academy manager Mark Harrison and head of junior recruitment Steve Hopcroft. They had both since moved across to work at Villa in similar roles. Harrison’s extensive knowledge — Rogers is not the first to have made the same move and credits Harrison as a chief influence in their formative years — was key in Villa and Emery building an overall view of him.
(Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)
