Paulo Ferreira delighted to sign long-term Chelsea deal

Portugal defender commits future to Blues

Portuguese defender Paulo Ferreira has signed a new five-year contract with English Premiership side Chelsea.

The former Porto man is currently enjoying his fourth season at Stamford Bridge, having followed Jose Mourinho to Chelsea in the summer of 2004 after winning the Champions League with the Dragons, and his contract was up for renewal at the end of the current campaign.

While the right-back’s future at the club was looking increasingly bleak towards the end of Mourinho’s reign, new boss Avram Grant has indicated a stronger belief in Ferreira’s ability, resulting in the new deal that ties him to the club until 2013 and the age of 34.

“I am delighted to commit my long-term future to Chelsea,” the 29-year-old said after putting pen to paper. “The fans have made me very welcome since I have been at Chelsea and I enjoy my football here a lot.

“We have had a lot of success and I am hoping we have more over the coming years.”

Over the course of his career in England, Ferreira has made 130 appearances for the Blues and scored a single goal, which came in the FA Cup against Colchester in 2006 and cancelled out an earlier own goal by compatriot Ricardo Carvalho.