David Luiz signs new two-year Chelsea contract

David Luiz has helped Chelsea reach the Europa League final and the defender has now been handed a new deal by the club.

Published : May 11, 2019 00:31 IST

Chelsea centre-back David Luiz has signed a new two-year contract, the Europa League finalists have confirmed.

The Brazil defender helped the Blues to reach an all-London showpiece against Arsenal with a penalty shoot-out win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, and he has been rewarded with fresh terms.

David Luiz's contract was due to expire at the end of the season but his second spell at the club will now be extended to the end of 2020-21.

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Having fallen out of favour under Antonio Conte last season, David Luiz has again become a regular since Maurizio Sarri's appointment as head coach, starting 35 Premier League games this term.

"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," the 32-year-old said to Chelsea's official website.

"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 try to do my best to help the team."

"We are delighted David Luiz will be staying with the club," Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added.

"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."

David Luiz has made a total of 246 appearances, scoring 18 goals, across his two spells with the club.

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He was part of the Chelsea side that won the Premier League title under Conte's leadership in 2016-17, while he lifted the 2011-2012 Champions League in his first term at Stamford Bridge.

He has also won two FA Cup titles with Chelsea, who have guaranteed their return to the Champions League by confirming a top-four finish in the Premier League this season.

David Luiz was far from certain to agree a new deal with Chelsea, but the club's transfer ban has seemingly encouraged them to keep him at the club.

Chelsea has announced it will appeal against this week's decision by FIFA to block it from registering new players for the next two transfer windows, the club taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

No plans to move away from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea has also reiterated that it currently has no plans to move away from Stamford Bridge, contrary to recent speculation.

New Civil Engineer magazine suggested the Blues were exploring the possibility of knocking down their home of 114 years and building a new stadium elsewhere to save money.

But the Premier League club has moved to refute those claims and it insists there are currently no plans in the pipeline regarding the proposed redevelopment of Stamford Bridge, which has been put down to the "unfavourable investment climate".

"Chelsea FC is aware of the media speculation relating to the new stadium," a club statement on Friday read. "We can confirm that the club’s position remains unchanged since May 2018.

"The stadium project has been put on hold due to the current unfavourable investment climate. There is no time frame set for reconsidering this position, but when we do all relevant parties including the CPO [Chelsea Pitch Owners] and fans will be informed."

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