• Premier League

Ramires pens five-year Chelsea contract

ESPN staff
March 5, 2012
Ramires has been one of Chelsea's most consistent performers this season © PA Photos
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Chelsea midfielder Ramires has given a vote of confidence to the club following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, with the Brazilian putting pen to paper on a new five-year deal.

One day after Villas-Boas made his departure, Ramires has pledged his future to the team he joined from Benfica in 2010.

He has been one of the most consistent performers at Stamford Bridge this season, contributing four goals from 21 league appearances - although he did play all 90 minutes of the dire 1-0 loss to West Brom at the weekend, which heralded the end of Villas-Boas.

'I am very happy with my new contract," Ramires said. "I am very happy with the support I have playing for this club so I want to say thank you to Chelsea."

Chelsea, who will be guided by Roberto di Matteo until the end of the season, face an important fortnight with an FA Cup fifth-round replay at Birmingham on Tuesday and the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Napoli.

They head into that match trailing 3-1 on aggregate after defeat in the Stadio Sao Paolo.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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