Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has signed a new two-year contract extension with the club that ties the Ghana captain to Stamford Bridge until 2015.
The 27-year-old was in scintillating form to start last season with the eventual Premier League and FA Cup champions, but missed almost the entire second half of the campaign through injury. That injury will also keep him out of this summer's World Cup, but that disappointment has at least given the former Olympique Lyonnais man time to sort out his club future.
"I am delighted because the club has shown a very big confidence and interest in me," Essien told the club's official website.
"I am looking forward to coming back and enjoying my football and winning more trophies with the club. That is why I am here. I think it is one of the most important contracts in my career."
The Ghanian has appeared 185 times for the Blues, scoring 22 goals. but his 2009-10 season was cut-short in December when he suffered a hamstring injury in December and then a knee injury while representing his country at the African Cup of Nations in January.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists that he has no long-term fears about Essien's recent injury problems, and the box-to-box midfielder is still an integral part of the west London club’s set-up.
The Italian said, "I am very happy that Michael has agreed to extend his time with us, as it means he will continue to be a very important player for Chelsea long into the future."
Essien first joined the reigning Premier League champions from Lyon in 2005 for £26 million, becoming, at the time, Chelsea’s most expensive player ever.
The 27-year-old was in scintillating form to start last season with the eventual Premier League and FA Cup champions, but missed almost the entire second half of the campaign through injury. That injury will also keep him out of this summer's World Cup, but that disappointment has at least given the former Olympique Lyonnais man time to sort out his club future.
"I am delighted because the club has shown a very big confidence and interest in me," Essien told the club's official website.
"I am looking forward to coming back and enjoying my football and winning more trophies with the club. That is why I am here. I think it is one of the most important contracts in my career."
The Ghanian has appeared 185 times for the Blues, scoring 22 goals. but his 2009-10 season was cut-short in December when he suffered a hamstring injury in December and then a knee injury while representing his country at the African Cup of Nations in January.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists that he has no long-term fears about Essien's recent injury problems, and the box-to-box midfielder is still an integral part of the west London club’s set-up.
The Italian said, "I am very happy that Michael has agreed to extend his time with us, as it means he will continue to be a very important player for Chelsea long into the future."
Essien first joined the reigning Premier League champions from Lyon in 2005 for £26 million, becoming, at the time, Chelsea’s most expensive player ever.
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