Essien signs Chelsea contract extension

Michael Essien received a welcome boost after his World Cup injury nightmare as the Ghana midfielder signed a two-year contract extension with Premier League champions Chelsea on Friday.

Essien has been ruled out of the World Cup after failing to recover from a knee injury in time to feature in South Africa.

The 27-year-old, who joined the Blues from Lyon in 2005, sustained the injury in training with Ghana before the African Nations Cup in January and has not played since.

But Essien can at least look forward to an extended stay with Chelsea after putting pen to paper on a deal which keeps him at Stamford Bridge until 2015.

“I am delighted because the club has shown a very big confidence and interest in me,” Essien told Chelsea’s 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.”

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes Essien will be a key part of his plans as he bids to build on his side’s double-winning campaign.

“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,” Ancelotti said.