Contract extension for Makelele

Claude Makelele has signed a one-year extension to his Chelsea contract to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2009.

The 34-year-old's current deal had been set to expire at the end of the current season and he would have been able to negotiate a move away from January.

However, the French World Cup finalist has extended his stay in West London by 12 months, by which time he will be 36.

The veteran holding midfielder has won league titles in France and Spain with Nantes and Real Madrid respectively as well as the Champions League with the latter.

Chelsea splashed out £13.9million to sign the player from Madrid shortly after Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

Since arriving in England Makelele has been an integral member of Chelsea's success.

He adapted seamlessly to the pace of the Premier League and helped Jose Mourinho's side win the English title in 2004 and 2005, as well as two Carling Cup triumphs and the FA Cup last May.

Despite having retired from international football, he agreed to return for France as they struggled to qualify for last year's World Cup and along with several fellow veterans booked a place in Germany, where Les Bleus reached the final only to lose to Italy last July.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old defender Sam Hutchinson has signed a new four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, following Scott Sinclair's commitment to a long-term deal last week.