Spanish defender, Cesar Azpilicueta has signed a new two-year contract to stay at Chelsea until June 2024.
Azpilicueta’s decision ends summer-long speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona on a free transfer, following expiry of his previous contract in late June.
Azpilicueta first arrived at Chelsea in August 2012 from Marseille and has gone to score 17 goals in 476 appearances across all competitions, with his most recent goal having come in mid-April in a 4-2 home defeat to London rivals, Arsenal.
Speaking about his decision to sign a new two-year contract at Stamford Bridge, Azpilicueta said: “I am really happy to extend my stay at Chelsea, my home.
“It is almost 10 years since I first arrived and joined the club so I really feel the love and I am really excited for the new project we have in our hands.”
The 40 international capped Spanish defender went on to praise co-controlling owners – Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali for providing him with “the opportunity to keep my journey at this amazing club and I am really looking forward to continuing our adventure.”
On retaining his role as club captain, Azpilicueta added: “I am a really proud captain and I hope we can share many good memories together.”
Boehly is “happy” to retain Azpilicueta for two more seasons at minimum as he added: “We are thrilled with our captain showing his exemplary commitment and leadership yet again. There is still so much to do together.”
Co-controlling owners, Behdad and José E. Feliciano meanwhile hailed Azpilicueta as “a world-class leader on and off the pitch” who has established himself as “… a Chelsea legend and exemplifies so many of the qualities and values as a player and a person we aspire to.”
Azpilicueta will be in the squad for Chelsea’s opening Premier League match of 2022-23 season away to Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday 6 August, with kick-off at 5:30pm BST live on Sky Sports.
Azpilicueta’s contract renewal comes just hours after Carney Chukwuemeka joined the Blues from Aston Villa on a six-year contract for £20 million.
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