Chelsea have today confirmed that Brazilian midfielder Ramires, who has been at Stamford Bridge for five years, has signed a new long-term contract with the club - keeping his future with the Blues until the summer of 2019.
The 28-year-old, who has been linked with European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in the past, has previously maintained his happiness to stay in London's capital. With his previous contract set to expire in 2017, he has penned a new deal.
An important player with national pedigree
Having made 52 international appearances for the Brazilian national team, he has amassed over 200 appearances during his five-year tenure with José Mourinho's side, following a switch from Portuguese giants SL Benfica.
Although Chelsea have endured a frustrating start to the 2015/16 campaign, Ramires has been one of their only consistent players in the midfield mould over a lengthy period of time. Cesc Fábregas' underwhelming defensive qualities were overshadowed by his impressive assist tally last term, but he has been categorically exposed as a weakling in a holding midfield role - meaning he can only flourish in a more attacking role.
An encouraging boost considering Chelsea's poor form
Ramires though, can do both. His tenacity, as well as energy and hard-working ethic, are all qualities that produce positive results in a Mourinho-type playing system, and he's also been asked to work alongside Nemanja Matic in that position upon occasions thus far too. He's also a threat attacking-wise too, which was reiterated after he came off the substitutes' bench to score an excellent long-range strike, helping the Blues steal a point late on away against Newcastle, having gone two-nil down with ten minutes to play.
Despite their disappointing form of late, Ramires remained upbeat on his aspirations for the club when interviewed after signing his new deal.
"I'm very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea, my family and I are very happy here in London. In the past five years, the club has lifted every major trophy. I hope to be an important part of many more successes in the next four years."