ROME (AP):

Roma forward Gervinho has extended his contract with the Serie A club by a year, tying him to the Stadio Olimpico until 2018.

Roma said yesterday the Ivory Coast international's new deal "has a four-year duration, with a fixed expiry date of June 30, 2018".

Gervinho joined Roma last year after a disappointing spell at Arsenal.

The move saw him reunited with his former coach at Lille, Rudi Garcia.

Gervinho scored nine goals in 33 league matches for Roma last season, as well as three goals in four Italian Cup matches.

The 27-year-old forward has scored once in two matches this campaign.

Gervinho netted in two of the Ivory Coast's three World Cup games in Brazil in the summer.