Drogba clinches Chelsea deal

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has signed a new four-year contract.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has signed a new four-year contract with the Premiership champions.

Drogba cost The Blues £24 million from Marseille two years ago and has established himself as an integral member of the team.

He has scored 42 times in 98 appearances for the club and has chipped in with several crucial goals in the UEFA Champions League this season.

The Ivory Coast international grabbed a hat-trick against Levski Sofia and the only goal in the home win over Barcelona.

In Tuesday's return at Camp Nou, the 28-year-old also pounced to score a last-gasp equaliser in Chelsea's 2-2 draw.

Upon signing his new deal at Stamford Bridge, Drogba was quick to dismiss the notion his good form is due to his desire to secure a contract extension.

"I am not playing well just because I wanted to sign a new contract," Drogba told Chelsea TV.

"I am playing well because I feel good and I am happy to train with my friends.

"I want to say thank you to Jose (Mourinho) for believing in me since the beginning and now we will be together for a long time. The best period of my career I think.

"I am happy because when I came here it wasn't easy for me to say I would be signing a new contract with Chelsea because everybody knows the first year was difficult.

"The second one was okay, but I knew I could do better."