Central defender Alex became the second Chelsea player to sign a new contract in as many days yesterday as the Blues look to tie their star names to the club, reports rte.ie.Alex followed Salomon Kalou in committing his future to the club when he signed a four-year deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2013.
Chelsea seem determined to extend as many of their key players contracts as possible following FIFA's transfer ban.
The Blues are prevented from signing any players in the next two transfer windows after being found guilty of inducing teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens two years ago.
Chelsea have appealed against the verdict and are hopeful of getting it overturned, but in the meantime they are determined to keep their current squad together.
Alex, who is returning to fitness after groin surgery in the summer, has joined Kalou, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Michael Mancienne in signing new deals, while Joe Cole is also expected to soon put pen to paper.
'I am very happy to start again to train and feel no pain, and to sign for four more years,' he said .
'It was easy to decide to sign and now I hope to get back to playing well. My condition now is so-so. I think in two more weeks I am 100% and can play without a problem.
'I hope now to start to play in the Chelsea games and play very well.'
Boss Carlo Ancelotti has yet to manage Alex in a Chelsea game but is well-versed in the Brazilian's ability.
His AC Milan side contested a tight Champions League semi-final in 2005 when Alex was at the heart of the PSV Eindhoven defence.
Ancelotti welcomed the defender's decision to continue his career at Stamford Bridge and told the club's official website: 'I am very happy that Alex has signed a new contract with the club. He is just returning from injury and surgery but he is a player I know well.
'I am familiar with all of his fantastic qualities, so I am delighted he will be with us for another four years.'
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