Chelsea have announced midfielder Frank Lampard has signed a new five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Midfielder agrees new five-year contract at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea have announced midfielder Frank Lampard has signed a new five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard, 30, had been the subject of summer-long speculation as former boss Jose Mourinho attempted to lure the England international to Inter Milan.
The Serie A outfit bid for Lampard in July, but Chelsea swiftly rejected the approach, reported to be in the region of £9.75million.
And Lampard has now ended further conjecture regarding his future by penning a deal which ties him to Chelsea and is likely to see him end his playing career in West London.
"We've signed my new contract today," Lampard - whose previous deal was due to expire at the end of the 2008/09 season - told
Chelsea TV on Wednesday.
Difficult
"I'm personally very happy and I hope I've made the Chelsea fans happy. I've had seven great seasons here and now I can have many more.
"It's been a difficult summer for many reasons and that was one of the frustrating things, a lot of things were said that were untrue, some things were said that were slightly true and that was frustrating. Now we can put that to bed and concentrate on football."
Lampard, who had previously hinted at an interest in a reunion with Mourinho, has also thanked Chelsea for giving him time to consider his options following the death of his mother.
"My world got turned upside down and I don't think it is anything anyone appreciates until you go through it," added Lampard. "The club gave me time and I appreciate that.
Decision
"I feel for sure I've made 100 per cent the right decision, for myself, for my family and for Chelsea football club."
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has explained that the reason for the delay in reaching an agreement was because it was a major decision for all parties.
"These are big issues for the club, for Frank and any other player," said Kenyon.
"Whatever has gone on I think there is that underlying desire that we get there. It's taken both Frank and the club longer than we originally thought."
