Lampard signs new Chelsea contract
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Article summary
England midfielder Frank Lampard has agreed a new deal at Chelsea FC running until the summer of 2014, bringing an end to speculation surrounding his future.
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Staying put
The 30-year-old's previous deal was to expire next summer, and FC Internazionale Milano – now coached by former Chelsea manager José Mourinho – were among the clubs rumoured to be interested in the England international. But instead Lampard has opted to stay at the club who signed him from West Ham United FC in 2001.
'Very happy'
Lampard, who has scored 110 goals in 369 appearances for the club and helped them to two league titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup, follows Petr Čech, Michael Essien and Wayne Bridge in signing new deals at Stamford Bridge this summer. He told Chelsea TV: "I have signed my new contract today. I am very happy and I hope I have made the Chelsea fans happy. It has been a difficult summer for many reasons, and [speculation about his future] was one of them. A lot of things were said, some things untrue, some things slightly true, and that was frustrating, but now we can put things to bed."
Scolari 'delighted'
New manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "I am delighted that Frank has committed his future to the club. He is a key player for me and vital to Chelsea's future success." Last season's UEFA Champions League runners-up begin the 2008/09 competition in the group stage and commence Scolari's first Premier League campaign on Sunday at home to Portsmouth FC.
