Chelsea's Gary Cahill signs new four-year deal

Gary Cahill has extended his stay at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has signed a new four-year contract with the club.

The England international has been in negotiations with the Premier League champions over a new deal in recent months with his current contract due to expire at the end of next season.

Cahill will turn 30 on December 19 and Chelsea reportedly have a policy of only handing 12-month contracts to players once they reach their 30th birthday.

However, the centre-back has put pen to paper with just over a fortnight to spare and he is now committed to the Stamford Bridge club until 2019.

Cahill told his club's official website: "I'm really pleased to commit my future to Chelsea and it's great the club has put their faith in me.

"I have achieved a lot here and I hope I can keep on learning, helping the team and lifting trophies over the next four years."

Cahill, who started his career with Aston Villa, joined Chelsea from Bolton Wanderers for 英镑7m in January 2012 and has since made 177 appearances for the club and scored 15 goals.

Cahill captained England for the first time at Wembley in October

He has won the full set of major honours with the Blues - Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup - and was named in the PFA's Premier League team of the year for the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons.

Cahill is England's vice-captain and has won 40 international caps, including October's European Qualifier at home to Estonia when he led the side out for the first time.