Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has put pen-to-paper on a new contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2020.
The 27-year-old is set to make his 200th appearance for the club against Sunderland on Wednesday night, as he has firmly established himself as a reliable presence in the side since his arrival from Marseille in 2012.
Having impressed under Jose Mourinho, the Spanish international has continued to establish himself as coach and fans favourite as he has fitted into Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system as part of the back three.
In turn, many will agree that he deserves his new deal as he looks to add to his collection of trophies having already won a Premier League title, the Europa League and EFL Cup during his four years with Chelsea.
.@CesarAzpi has today signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract!
Full story ? https://t.co/uJDWgpha9Z pic.twitter.com/jpcaJz6qRs
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 13, 2016
According to The Daily Mail, the defensive stalwart will earn around £75,000-a-week with his new deal, and so he certainly has many reasons to be cheerful with the news.
“I’m really happy to have signed a new contract,” he told the club’s official website, as noted in the Mail report. “Since I arrived here my target was to progress as a player and win trophies.
“This new contract gives me the chance to continue my relationship with the club, that’s what I wanted and obviously I’m really happy here.”
With his future secured, the focus will now be on extending Chelsea’s current nine-game winning streak in the league and building on their three-point lead over nearest rivals Arsenal.
Things are looking good for Conte, and having Azpilicueta commit his future will be another boost for the Italian tactician in a season that is promising plenty.