Kalou can play on the wing or as an out-and-out striker

Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has signed a new three-year contract with the Stamford Bridge club.

The 23-year-old Ivory Coast star, an £8m signing from Feyenoord in 2006, was set to become a free agent next summer.

Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti told his club's website: "Salomon is an important player for this club."

Chelsea are currently appealing against a transfer ban imposed by Fifa which prevents them registering new players until January 2011.

The punishment was meted out after the club was found guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens in 2007.

606: DEBATE Kalou is a decent impact sub. He doesn't really expect to start every game, but he's good enough at what he does Jebus loves you

Kalou follows Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and John Terry in pledging his future to the Premier League outfit.

He has often been used as a substitute since his move to west London, with five of his 10 appearances this season coming off the bench. In total he has made 93 starts and 66 substitute appearances for Chelsea, scoring 31 goals.

Ancelotti added: "Salomon is always well motivated and works hard at his game. Because of this, I'm sure he will become an even more important player for us in the future."

Kalou is likely to play at next summer's World Cup finals after the Ivory Coast sealed their qualification with a 1-1 draw against Malawi on Saturday.

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