LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League club on Tuesday.

Bridge, 27, had agreed the extension before new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari took charge, but the Brazilian gave his blessing to a deal which will keep the England left-back at Stamford Bridge until 2012.

"I am very pleased for Wayne that he has committed his future to Chelsea," Scolari said.

"I have been here only a few days, but I have seen that he is one of the best professionals at the club. I very much like his playing style."

Bridge made just 19 appearances last season as he struggled to displace Ashley Cole, but the former Southampton player was still delighted to remain in west London.

"I'm just happy, I love it here, all the lads, staff, everything, so I'm happy to be here, hopefully for the four years,' he told Chelsea TV.