Chelsea midfielder Ramires signs new 5-year deal

LONDON (AP) — Brazil midfielder Ramires has signed a new five-year deal with Chelsea, committing to the Premier League club until 2017.

The 24-year-old Ramires is in his second season at Stamford Bridge and has scored 10 goals in 71 appearances.

Ramires says "I am very happy with the support I have playing for this club so I want to say thank you to Chelsea."

The contract details were announced Monday, the day after manager Andre Villas-Boas was fired.

Ramires, whose full name is Ramires Santos Nascimento, joined Chelsea before the 2010-11 season on a four-year contract from Benfica for €22 million (then $29 million).