Chelsea have taken up an option to
extend Olivier Giroud's contract, keeping the France striker at Stamford Bridge
until the end of the 2020-21 season.
Having been out of favour for much of the season, Giroud was
close to leaving Chelsea in the January transfer window, but remained at the
club with Frank Lampard unable to find a replacement forward.
An injury
to Tammy Abraham then allowed Giroud a run in the first team, during which he
put in a series of impressive performances before the season was halted by the
coronavirus pandemic.
"I am
delighted to continue my journey and adventure at Chelsea," Giroud told
the club's website.
"I can't wait to get back to
playing and enjoying competitive football with my team-mates. I'm looking
forward to wearing the Chelsea shirt again, especially in front of our fans at
a full Stamford Bridge, whenever it is safe to do so."
Giroud was one of several senior Chelsea players whose
contracts was set to expire this summer. Earlier on Wednesday goalkeeper Willy Caballero's deal was also extended by a
year, but the futures of wingers Willian and Pedro remain unclear.
The 33-year-old spent five-and-a-half seasons at Arsenal
before joining Chelsea in January 2018, and has gone on to score 21 goals in 76
appearances for the west London club.
Despite
having failed to hold down a regular starting role at Stamford Bridge, Giroud
has flourished for the France national team, playing a key role as Didier
Deschamps side won the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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