Ivanovic signs new Chelsea contract

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with the club. Ivanovic will remain at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2016 after agreeing the new deal.

The Serbian, who can play at right-back or centre-half, has made 99 appearances for the Blues since arriving from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008.

There is increased competition for places in Carlo Ancelotti’s backline after the £25 million arrival of David Luiz, but Ivanovic’s new deal bodes well for his future.

“It is good news for me, it is a very big step for me in my career and I want to give my maximum and try to help Chelsea win a lot more trophies,” he told the club’s official website.

“These things take a little time but my first vision was always to stay with Chelsea. There were not a lot of problems because I wanted to stay, the club wanted me to stay and I want to thank everyone who helped with the deal, I am very happy with that.”

Ivanovic shifted from centre-back to the right of defence to accommodate Luiz as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 defeat by Liverpool last week, but it is another match against the Reds that represents his finest moment in a Chelsea shirt.

He scored twice in their 2008/09 Champions League quarter-final first-leg, a day which provided the catalyst for his extended first-team run.