Chelsea's Frank Lampard signs one-year contract

Frank Lampard has signed a one-year contract to stay at Chelsea, the day after the club won the Europa League.

The midfielder's existing deal was due to expire in June, and there had been uncertainty over his future.

"I'm absolutely delighted. Everybody knows I always maintained the dream to stay," the 34-year-old said.

"I want to thank Mr Abramovich for making the dream a reality. I love this club, the staff, the players and especially the supporters."

Lampard became the club's all-time leading scorer last week, overtaking Bobby Tambling's 202-goal record.

He has made 607 appearances for Chelsea since his £11m move from West Ham in June 2001.

Ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is widely tipped to take over from interim manager Rafael Benitez at the end of the season.

The return of Mourinho is thought to have had a bearing on Lampard staying.

Earlier in the month, Lampard said it would be a "great thing" if Real Madrid manager Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge.

Lampard had been linked with a move to the United States, but said: "The thought of helping the club to more success in the forthcoming years is all I ever wanted. I couldn't be happier.

"We've been talking for ages, and even though it went on for quite a period it was always amicable."

Chelsea signed Lampard from West Ham in an £11m deal in 2001. He has won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and a Champions League during his time at the club.

He has scored 17 goals for Chelsea in all competitions this season - his best return since 2009-10, when he netted 27 times.

Benitez said: "Frank is a great professional. He has worked hard in every training session and now, at the end, I think we could see he has improved.

"Some people were surprised when I said that but he has scored a lot of goals in this period. Maybe it was because we were managing him quite well."

Ron Gourlay, Chelsea's chief executive, added: "Frank has been an important player for Chelsea Football Club for a long time and has played a significant part in the club's success.

'We have been talking to him since the end of last year and our discussions have been entirely positive throughout."