Drogba continues his "Love Affair" with Chelsea

Didier Drogba is happy to continue his "love affair" with Chelsea after signing a new three-year contract - but admits he came close to leaving the club at one point during a period of "frustration".

The Ivory Coast international pledged his future to the club recently and has committed himself until 2012, extending his existing deal by two years.

The 31-year-old endured mixed fortunes last season but scored during the club's FA Cup final win against Everton and finished the season with 14 goals.

He admits he came close to leaving the club in the past - but is happy to continue at Stamford Bridge for another three years.

"Of course I had been saying things years ago like I wanted to leave but people can always change their mind," he told Chelsea TV.

"That was a decision because I was a bit frustrated but when you have a love affair with your team, you can be upset but always come back to it because this is my team.

"I've been here five years now and I love it here. It's simple."

Drogba, who was sent off during extra-time in the 2008 Champions League final defeat by Manchester United, remains determined to go one better in Europe this season under new Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti

And the striker - who will spend around six weeks away at the African Nations Cup in early 2010 - told the club's website, chelseafc.com: "I have decided to extend my contract with Chelsea for two extra years and I am very happy and proud to continue to wear the blue of Chelsea until then.

"I love the club, I feel good here and I want to continue to win titles with them.

"I stay because I am ambitious to pick up lots more trophies, regain the Premier League title, win cups. It is for this that I have extended my time at Chelsea.

"But my number one objective is to win the Champions League. I am convinced that this year we can go to the end and finally lift this trophy.

"I'd like to take advantage of this message to thank the Chelsea supporters, who have always encouraged me with fervour as well as my fans."