England midfielder Joe Cole has signed a new four-year deal with Chelsea that will see him stay until 2010, the Premiership giants announced on their official website on Monday. Cole expressed his delight with the new contract and thanked both club officials and fans for their support. “I am delighted that we have got everything agreed so quickly and that I will be staying at Chelsea for the next four years,” Joe said. “I would like to thank Roman, Peter Kenyon and the manager for the new deal. Most of all I would like to thank the Chelsea fans who have been fantastic to me ever since I joined,” he added. The 24-year-old midfielder, who finalized the deal with Chelsea in Germany, had moved to the Premiership champions coming from West Ham in 2003 for $11.7 million. “When the World Cup is over, I am looking forward to the new season when we will challenge again for the Champions League and all the other trophies as well as hopefully win a third consecutive Premiership.” “The team spirit at the club is fantastic and there was never any doubt in my mind that we would agree a new contract,” he insisted. On the other hand, Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said that the club is delighted to have agreed a new deal with Cole. “The club is naturally very pleased that we have agreed a new deal with Joe. In our two Premiership winning seasons he has been one of our best players,” Kenyon said. “Last summer, when contract talks first started, he said he wanted to put those on hold for a year because he was confident he would prove to us through his performances that he was worth a new deal. “Joe has done that. Not only is he important to Chelsea but he is also a first choice for England and showed just why with his display against Paraguay,” he added. Cole played a pivotal role in England's 1-0 victory over Paraguay. England will next face Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, before playing against Sweden on June 20th.
