Veteran French forward Olivier Giroud has signed a new one-year contract to stay with Chelsea for a further season.
The former Arsenal forward is preparing for a Europa League final against his old club next week in Baku and has been boosted by the news he’ll stay at Stamford Bridge for the 2019/20 campaign. The 32-year-old has scored 17 goals in 62 appearances for the Blues since moving across London in January 2018.
No fewer than 10 of those goals have come en route to this season’s Europa League decider, enough to see him become the first Chelsea player ever to hit double figures in a single season of European football.
Having signed an initial 18-month deal, his contract was set to expire this summer and he’s excited to remain with Chelsea.
“I am very happy to sign a new contract. I really wanted to stay at least one more year – I have felt part of the team, the family, since the beginning and hopefully there will be more trophies to come,” said Giroud.
Chelsea are still facing a transfer ban this summer, subject to an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the club were keen to retain Giroud, despite having brought in Gonzalo Higuain in January from Napoli.
“He has at times had to be patient and wait for opportunities, but has still been able to make a positive contribution for the team,” said Chelsea’s director Marina Granovskaia.
“Whether it is his unselfish link-up play or his 10 Europa League goals this season, he has been a crucial member of the squad and we hope he will be able to pick up a second Chelsea winner’s medal in Baku later this month to accompany last season’s FA Cup win.”
Chelsea are favourites at 2.40 to conquer Arsenal in the Europa League final. The Gunners are 3.10 while the showpiece clash is 3.25 to end level after 90 minutes.
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