Branislav Ivanovic Officially Signs 1-Year Chelsea Contract Extension

Branislav Ivanovic has signed a new one-year contract at Chelsea, extending his stay at Stamford Bridge until at least the summer of 2017.

The west London club announced the news on Friday:

Per Chelsea, the Serbian full-back expressed his delight at signing on for another year:

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I am very happy to stay with Chelsea for another season. After eight years here this is my home and there is no other place I would rather play football. I have enjoyed so much success since moving to the club and I am determined to help the team achieve more in the last months of this season and next year as well.

"

Ivanovic, 31, has struggled for form this season, so keeping him at Stamford Bridge may be received with mixed reactions from Chelsea fans.

He was particularly shaky during the first few months of the campaign, when the Blues' Premier League form saw them sit on the brink of the relegation zone.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Back in September, ESPN FC's Mark Worrall called for recently sacked boss Jose Mourinho to drop Ivanovic. Writing for the Daily Telegraph, Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith echoed that call later in the month.

Ivanovic's performances have since improved, but they still seem a long way off the standard typically required to merit a new deal.

However, having now been rewarded with an extended contract, fans will hope he will be buoyed into producing the same form that has seen him involved in winning the Champions League, Europa League, two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one League Cup in his time at the club.