Cole pens new deal and says, ‘I wanted to stay at Chelsea’

Tuesday, January 22, 2013
6:14 PM

England left-back Ashley Cole has signed a one-year contract extension at Chelsea, the Premier League side have confirmed.

Cole’s previous deal was set to expire at the end of the season and at one stage he was expected to leave Stamford Bridge.

However the 32-year-old, linked with Real Madrid and Paris St Germain recently, has agreed fresh terms at the club he joined from Arsenal in 2006.

Cole said on the club’s official website, www.chelseafc.com: “I am pleased I will be starting my eighth season at Chelsea.

“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.”

Cole said there was a slight sense of trepidation at what might have occurred had he left Chelsea.

Discussing his stay at the club, he said on Chelsea TV: “It’s gone quick.

“After six or seven years and the trophies I’ve won here and the great memories I’ve got here it was a little bit scary and sad thinking I could have left.

“But I’m glad to have signed and stay here for another year.”