Cech signs new five-year Chelsea contract
Petr Cech signs new five-year contract with Chelsea
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Monday, 21, Jul 2008 08:59
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until at least the end of the 2012/13 season.
The Czech international, who suffered heartache at Euro 2008 as his much-fancied team were knocked out in the group stages, has been at the club since signing from French side Rennes in 2004.
And he described it as "an honour" to play for Chelsea and said his new deal had made him "very happy".
"Chelsea has grown in my heart, not just because of my team-mates and all the people that work for the club but also because of their fantastic fans," he said.
"I gave my first interview when I arrived at Chelsea in 2004 and I had said that it had been my dream to play for one of the best clubs in the world and in the best league in the world - this came true and I am very pleased my dream will last.
"Personally I have to say I cannot wait for the new season to start. I am confident that it will be a very successful season for all of us."
New Blues boss Luis Felipe Scolari, who tied left-back Wayne Bridge to a similar long-term deal last week, said he is "delighted" with the announcement, describing Cech as "the best goalkeeper in the world".
And chief executive Peter Kenyon added: "I think everybody agrees with Felipe's assessment that Petr is the best goalkeeper in the world so naturally we are very happy he has committed his long-term future to us.
"He has been a key player in the club's success in the last four years.
"He has also shown himself throughout this time to be a top professional and is a great ambassador for the club on and off the field."
Cech has so far played 166 games for Chelsea in his four seasons, earning 90 clean sheets.
In 2004/05, Cech set a new record in top-flight football by not conceding a goal in 1,024 minutes of Premier League football in a season in which he kept 21 clean sheets – the most of any goalkeeper that season.
The announcement comes as the Blues begin their pre-season tour of Asia in Guangzhou, China in preparation for the new Premier League season next month.