Hilario signs new contract

LONDON: Chelsea goalkeeper Henrique hilario has signed a season-long contract extension, keeping him at the Premier League club until 2013.

The 36-year-old Portuguese has been Petr Cech’s back-up at Chelsea since 2006, making 39 appearances and not conceding a goal in 18 matches.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have released reserve team midfielder Jacob Mellis after he admitted setting off a smoke grenade at the club’s training ground.

The Premier League club say they made the decision after a “full and thorough” investigation into the incident, which took place on March 2 when Chelsea’s training complex in Cobham had to be evacuated.

British media said Mellis’ teammate, Billy Clifford, brought the grenade into the training ground. Clifford were fined by Chelsea. — Agencies