Happy Kalou extends Hertha contract

BERLIN: Ex-Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou on Wednesday extended his Hertha Berlin contract, which had been due to expire in June, with reports the new deal runs until 2020.

“I feel very comfortable in Berlin and I still have plenty that I want to achieve with Hertha Berlin. I would like to help the team continue to progress as it has in the last few years,” said the 31year-old Kalou.

The Ivory Coast forward joined Hertha for €1.8 million (RM8.5 million) from Lille in 2014, who he had joined in 2012 following six years with Chelsea.

At Hertha this season he has scored six goals and provided four assists in 16 games so far.

Hertha have not stipulated how long the new contract is for, but German daily Bild claimed it will run for another three years.

Hertha’s director of sport Michael Preetz said Kalou, who has scored 30 goals in 86 appearances for Berlin, turned down other clubs to stay.

Head coach Pal Dardai was pleased to keep the club’s potent partnership intact with Kalou playing alongside Hertha’s topscorer Vedad Ibisevic, who has 10 league goals this season.

“Salomon is a real champion. He has won everything, but despite that he is still hungry for more. He is a model professional and a great example for all players,” said Dardai.

Kalou won the 2011/12 Champions League title, the 2010 English Premier League and lifted the FA Cup four times while at London giants Chelsea.

He also played in the Ivory Coast team who won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Hertha are currently fifth in Germany’s top flight and bidding to qualify directly for a Champions League place next season. AFP