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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matt Maltby

David Luiz signs new Chelsea contract - as Blues ditch long-standing club rule

David Luiz's Chelsea future has finally been resolved after he signed a new two-year deal through to 2021.

The Brazil defender's current Blues deal was due to expite at the end of the season, with the 32-year-old having been in protracted talks with the club over an extension.

But the popular centre-back, who has been a mainstay in Maurizio Sarri's side this season, will now remain at Stamford Bridge until June 2021.

Luiz has made 48 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals, helping Chelsea secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and book a place in the Europa League final against Arsenal .

David Luiz has signed a new contract with Chelsea (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

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He said: "I am so happy to be here and to have this opportunity to stay. I love this club and I still have the ambition of a young player.

"It means a lot to reach another European final, and we still have the opportunity to finish in the top three of the Premier League this season and I will continue to try to do my best to help the team."

Chelsea have decided to break the rule of not handing new deals to players over the age of 30, with former captains John Terry and Frank Lampard among those to leave in recent seasons.

Chelsea Director Marina Granovskaia added: "We are delighted David Luiz will be staying with the club. He has set the perfect example to those around him throughout the campaign and been a huge influence on and off the pitch.

The Brazilian poses for a photo at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

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"With the Europa League final still to come, we hope to finish off the season with silverware and David will be central to that success in Baku and beyond.'

The Blues have already secured Champions League qualification for next term courtesy of cementing a top-four Premier League finish, and could yet add the Europa League silverware.

Chelsea would deny Arsenal a Champions League place next term by beating the Gunners in Baku, with Luiz admitting that only adds extra motivation.

"It is going to be a difficult game, they have a great team and a great coach," said Luiz.

Luiz signs a contract extension with Chelsea Director Marina Granovskaia (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

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"He (Unai Emery) knows how to win this competition. I worked with him a bit in Paris and I know how passionate he is.

"He knows how to play these kind of games. It is up to us to prepare well.

"We have to try to win the trophy. We know that if we win they will not be in the Champions League.

"This will be better for us because we put a fantastic team out of the Champions League."

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