Xavi Hernandez signs two-year contract extention at Barcelona
The 33-year-old Spanish medio has made over 650 appearances for the club. The contract extension comes after star Lionel Messi and Carlos Puyol agreed to their long-term stay with the Catalans.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: January 29, 2013 10:10 AM IST
Xavi Hernandez has extended his contract with Barcelona for another two years, committing to stay with the club through 2016.
The 33-year-old Spain midfielder sealed the deal with club President Sandro Rosell on Monday, with Vice President Josep Maria Bartomeu and football director Andoni Zubizarreta looking on.
Xavi said "this is where I want to be," adding that Barcelona had always been his first choice.
He said he knew there were many other players who could play in his position and that the club had "made an effort and I am grateful."
Xavi, a World Cup and double European Championship winner, made his Barcelona debut in October 1998 and has since recorded more than 650 competitive first-team Barcelona appearances. He has won a total of 20 senior trophies (two World Club Cups, three Champions Leagues, two European Supercups, six La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Supercups) with the club.
Xavi's Catalan team-mates Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol have agreed to long term deals recently. Puyol signed his extension until 2016 last week, while goal-machine Messi is expected to complete the formalities on a new five-year contract in the coming weeks.