Real Madrid have reached agreements with both Roberto Carlos and Guti over their new contracts, the club announced on Monday.
Midfielder Guti, 30, has agreed to extend his current deal until 2010, while 33-year-old defender Roberto Carlos will sign a one-year extension which will tie him to the club until June 30, 2008.
Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic confirmed on the club's website: "An agreement has been reached with Guti and Roberto Carlos so that they can continue here.
"We are very happy, firstly because they are going to go continue for more years with us, and secondly because they are playing very well, at a very important level, and that is good for all.
"The president has fulfilled his promises and everybody is happy."
Guti, whose current deal was due to run out in 2008, was brought up through the youth ranks at Real before making his debut for the first team against Sevilla in 1995.
Now one of the longest-serving players still at the club along with Raul, the Spain international has won three Primera Liga titles and three Champions League crowns with Real, as well as a host of other trophies.
Guti has played in 10 of Real's 11 league matches this season, although he now faces a suspension after being sent-off in Saturday's 3-1 win over Racing Santander.
Roberto Carlos has been involved in the Real first-team almost as long as Guti having moved to Spain from Internazionale in 1996 - during current coach Fabio Capello's first spell at the Bernabeu.
The former Brazil left-back recently made his 500th appearance for the club, during which time he has scored well over a half-century of goals.
He had been closely linked with a move to English champions Chelsea over the summer, with Blues boss Jose Mourinho admitting: "I consider him to be the best in his position."
Nothing came of the interest though, and the World Cup winner has started all of Real's Primera Liga and Champions League matches during the current campaign.
The veteran defender's decision to sign a contract extension - with an option for a further year - comes just days after Real unveiled the player who is tipped to be his long-term replacement for both club and country, Marcelo.
The 18-year-old left-back joined Real in a five-year deal from Fluminense last week, although he will not link up with his new team-mates until January.
Roberto Carlos welcomed the addition of his countryman to the Real squad, saying: "I will finally have a player tog play in my place sometimes. I've played more than 560 matches for Real Madrid and more than 100 for the national team. It will be very good to have him here (in Madrid)."
Real are also in contract talks with midfielder David Beckham, whose current four-year deal runs out next summer.
The Spanish giants are keen to keep Beckham at the Bernabeu, but the former England captain is believed to be waiting to see if he can retain his first-team place before committing his future to the club.
No comments:
Post a Comment