The 21-year-old is widely considered one of the best young players in the AFL and has no doubt been on the radar of opposition teams since his 2021 debut.
He said he had decided against accepting a 10-year deal from a rival club to stay with the Swans, where he has signed a four-year contract extension.
OHHH, ERROL!— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) Sydney Swans fans can rejoice, All-Australian midfielder Errol Gulden has put pen to paper �DETAILS: https://t.co/13T5acsJ0W pic.twitter.com/xNqQqDelBJApril 10, 2024
"I think it would have probably been a 10-year deal, and that is a very long time," Gulden said on AFL 360 on Wednesday night, without naming the club that made the offer.
"For me to even look forward four years ... I haven't even played four years in the AFL yet, the highest level. It's almost half my life.
"So four years was the right option for me and for the club as well as it gives them some security over the next four years and also lets me focus on my footy and not have to worry about what the future holds, while leaving a bit up to me as I will still have to perform to, hopefully, get another contract after that.
"It is up to me to have to keep performing without having 10 years locked away and, kind of, don't worry about it."
He said it made his head spin to be offered such a long deal.
"To put a contract in that length is a bit crazy and I did struggle to comprehend it," Gulden said.
He said he loved being with the Swans and wanted to get the contract sorted early in the season.
"I love being at this club," Gulden said.
"I think with these things (contract negotiations) they take a bit of time, but it was ... a goal of mine to get it done early in the season and put all my attention and focus into playing every weekend and seeing where this season can take us.
"I was pretty aware of other clubs (being interested) and was in contact with my manager, but at the end of the day I love this club so much and they have done so much for me that I couldn't see myself playing anywhere else."
Gulden had a breakout season in 2023, earning his first All-Australian blazer, finishing fourth in the Brownlow Medal and winning the Bob Skilton Medal as the Swans' club champion.
23°C