Official: Olivier Giroud contract also extended at Chelsea!

It’s contract extension day at Chelsea, and you get a contract extension, and you get a contract extension, and you get a contract extension...

Following the expected news of head coach Thomas Tuchel and O Monstro himself, Thiago Silva getting their contracts extended, we have a slightly more surprising news of Olivier Giroud getting an extension as well!

The 34-year-old has looked all but certain to depart Stamford Bridge this summer after 3.5 seasons, but as the official announcement reveals and confirms, his contract was actually extended to another season back in April. Just like last year, this was an option built into the existing contract, though none of the reporting around the contract or the player picked up on this.

“Olivier has been such a crucial part of so many big moments for this club, from his contribution to our FA Cup victory in 2018 to scoring 11 goals on the way to winning the Europa League in 2019. He has continued to score significant goals, and we will never forget his effort against Atletico Madrid on the way to winning the Champions League this season.

“With so much to still to play for, there was only one decision we could make when we exercised the option to extend his contract back in April.”

-Marina Granovskaia; source: Chelsea FC

Granovskaia’s wording certainly doesn’t rule out Giroud leaving this summer still, but now that he won’t be a free agent, that’s no longer a certainty. (So much for those AC Milan rumors then, eh?)

Considering that Euro 2020-bound Giroud still scored 11 goals in total despite limited game-time — the 14th consecutive season with double-digits goals — we could certainly do worse for a backup striker and dressing room leader.

Congrats, Oli G!