Chelsea defender David Luiz signs two-year extension at Stamford Bridge
David Luiz: "I am so happy to be here and to have this opportunity to stay. I love this club and I still have the ambition of a young player."
Saturday 11 May 2019 09:00, UK
Chelsea defender David Luiz has signed a new two-year deal to stay at Stamford Bridge.
The 32-year-old Brazil international's previous deal was due to run out at the end of the season but Luiz always maintained he wanted to stay at the cub.
"I am so happy to be here and to have this opportunity to stay. I love this club and I still have the ambition of a young player," Luiz said after penning his new deal.
"It means a lot to reach another European final, and we still have the opportunity to finish in the top three of the Premier League this season and I will continue to do my best to help the team."
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: "We are delighted David Luiz will be staying with the club.
"He has set the perfect example to those around him throughout the campaign and been a huge influence on and off the pitch.
"With the Europa League final still to come, we hope to finish off the season with silverware and David will be central to that success in Baku and beyond."
Luiz has spent seven-and-a-half seasons at Stamford Bridge either side of a £50m move to Paris Saint-Germain and has racked up a total of 246 appearances in English football.
With a possible transfer ban looming, Chelsea secured contract extensions for two members of their back four at the end of 2018 with both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso signing new deals.
After their transfer ban appeal was rejected by FIFA, Chelsea have secured a third defender, Luiz, for another two years before they are able to buy again (subject to an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport).
Despite reaching the latter stages of his career, Luiz - who is aiming to win the Europa League for the second time with Chelsea - has made 48 appearances this season, scoring three goals.
