Cech signs new Chelsea contract

Cech is widely considered to be one of the world's best keepers

Chelsea's Czech Republic keeper Petr Cech has signed a new five-year deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2013.

The 26-year-old was linked with a £32m move away from the club in May but has now committed his future to the Blues.

He told the club website: "It is an honour to be at a club like Chelsea and I am happy to have renewed my contract.

"Chelsea has grown in my heart, not just because of my team-mates and all the people that work for the club but also because of their fantastic fans."

Cech's current contract had two years left to run but his improved deal will keep him at the west London club for the next five years.

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The Czech international joined Chelsea from French club Rennes for £7m in 2004 and has made 166 appearances for the club, keeping a remarkable 90 clean sheets.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari added: "I am delighted that Petr has signed a new contract.

"In my view he is the best goalkeeper in the world, so I am very pleased that he will remain with me at Chelsea."

In his first season, Cech was awarded the Barclays Premiership Golden Gloves as he set a new record in top-flight football for not conceding a goal in 1,024 minutes and for the most clean sheets (21) in a single Premier League season.

He was also voted Uefa's most valuable goalkeeper in the 2005/06 season.