R. Carvalho extended his contract with "Chelsea" © EuroFootball.com

"The London club has signed a new five-year contract with the defender from Portugal. He has committed to play in London until 2012. Interestingly, the contract was signed on Friday, on the footballer's 29th birthday.

R.Carvalho joined Chelsea from Porto in the summer of 2004 for a sum of 30 million euros.

"Ricardo has been one of our most important players since his arrival and, without a doubt, he is one of the best center-backs in the world," said Chelsea's executive director Peter Kenyon.

However, due to a calf injury, the Portuguese defender will not be able to help his team in the FA Cup final match against Manchester United on Saturday."