London, August 14:

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard ended speculation about his future by signing a new five-year contract with the Premier League club.

Lampard, 30, had been repeatedly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge during the last year, but he finally agreed to stay just four days before Chelsea’s Premier League opening match against Portsmouth. “We’ve signed my new contract today (Wednesday),” Lampard told Chelsea TV.

The England star had been negotiating a new contract since last season, with Chelsea offering a four-year deal and Lampard holding out for an extra year. Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, now in charge at Inter Milan, tried to take advantage of the stalemate

during the close-season when he made an offer for Lampard. Chelsea rejected Inter’s bid but they were aware Lampard would have been out of contract at the end of this season and could walk away on a free transfer.