England left-back Ashley Cole has ended speculation about his immediate future by signing a one-year contract extension with Chelsea, the Premier League club has announced.
His previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season and the 32-year-old had been linked with moves to either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks.
However, Cole, who joined Chelsea from Arsenal in 2006, says he never had any intention of leaving Stamford Bridge.
“I am pleased I will be starting my eighth season at Chelsea,” he told the club website.
“I wanted to stay at Chelsea because we are always fighting and challenging for trophies. That desire and the will to want to win things have not gone.”