May 10 2001

Crystal Palace

Finnish striker Mikael Forssell has signed a new deal with Chelsea on his return to the club.

Forssell impressed during his spell at Crystal Palace scoring 18 goals in 34 games. It is unlikely Palace will put in a bid to sign him on a permanent basis now he extended his contract at the Stamford Bridge club until the summer of 2005.

Forssell said: "Chelsea was my choice, despite many offers, when I left Finland in 1998.

"I am very happy to have extended my contract by two years to 2005 and to know I will be part of the first-team squad at Chelsea next season."

Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson added: "The whole idea of Mikael going on a year-long loan was to give him competitive match experience and to fast-track his progress, with the target for him to return and become part of the first-team squad.

"Every club needs four quality strikers. Mikael will be part of our quartet next season, competing for a place with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Gianfranco Zola and Eidur Gudjohnsen. He has worked hard and deserves this chance."

Meanwhile, Forssell and his teammate at Palace Aki Riihilahti played Estonia in a friendly yesterday. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Riihilahti and Forssell both started for Finland, but did not play the full 90 minutes. Riihilahti was substituted on 46 minutes and Forssell on 83. The Finnish goal was scored by Rami Rantanen.