Lampard signs new Chelsea contract

Frank Lampard has signed a new one-year deal, Chelsea have confirmed.

The news will delight Blues fans, who feared the popular midfielder would be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, when his contract had been due to expire.

Lampard always insisted he wanted to stay at the club and he hinted after Wednesday’s Europa League triumph against Benfica that he was close to putting pen to paper.

Confirming the player has signed an extension, Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said: “We have been talking to him since the end of last year and our discussions have been entirely positive throughout.”

With owner Roman Abramovich expected to finance major signings this summer, Lampard had been tipped to move elsewhere.

But the 34-year-old, who recently replaced the legendary Bobby Tambling as Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer, was determined to extend his 12-year stay at the club.

‘I’m absolutely delighted. Everybody knows I always maintained the dream was to stay at Chelsea,” said Lampard.

“We’ve been talking for ages and even though it went on for quite a period it was always amicable.

“I want to thank Mr Abramovich for everything he’s done in making the dream a reality.

“I love this club, the staff, the players and especially the supporters, who have treated me fantastically since the day I arrived.

“The thought of helping the club to more success in the forthcoming years is all I ever wanted. I couldn’t be happier.”

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