Cudicini extends Chelsea stay

Carlo Cudicini has ended speculation over his future at Chelsea by signing a one-year extension to his current deal at Stamford Bridge.

The 32-year-old Italian, who first joined the Blues on loan from Castel Di Sangro in 1999, has been linked with a move to several clubs ever since the arrival of Petr Cech.

However, despite now playing second fiddle to the Czech international, Cudicini has committed himself to Chelsea until 2009.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho expressed his gratitude by insisting Cech would not have received all the accolades attributed to him without the help of Cudicini.

And the Italian’s one-year extension will take his tenure at Stamford Bridge to 10 years.

Cudicini has played five times for Chelsea this season, with the only black spot coming when the Blues went out of the Carling Cup on penalties against Charlton.

Otherwise he has featured in a Champions League thrashing of Real Betis, Premiership wins over West Brom and Wigan and the recent FA Cup success against Huddersfield.