Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Sergio Busquets targets long-term Barcelona stay following new deal

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets said he plans to spend his whole career at the club after signing a new contract which runs until 2019, with the option of another year.

Busquets came through Barca's La Masia youth system and was given his debut by then coach Pep Guardiola in September 2008.

He has since played 312 further games for the club across all competitions, winning 16 trophies including two Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and two Copas del Rey.

Still only 26, he is currently the squad's fourth captain and was given Carles Puyol's famous No. 5 shirt when the legendary club leader retired last summer.

The new deal was signed on Friday at the Camp Nou, with Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu also in attendance.

"I am 26 and I have a long future here at Barca," Busquets told Barca TV after the ceremony. "I hope to stay away from injuries and with my work and that of the team, we can continue the momentum of these years I have been in the first team."

At various times over recent seasons speculation has linked the defensive midfielder, who has also won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain, with a move away from the Camp Nou.

Manchester City are reported to have been his most persistent pursuer, but there has never been any real indication that the Sabadell-born player would be tempted away.

Busquets said he would like to follow the example of long-term teammates Puyol, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, in spending his whole career at the Camp Nou and winning lots of trophies along the way.

"I would like to spend my whole career here," he said. "I have the example of Xavi, Puyol and Andres. The most important thing is to feel good and be happy. That comes first for me, and I am happy, this is my lifelong club. I am in the right place, with the right people, to fight for all the trophies."

Catalan media reports say the new deal includes a payrise to around 15 million euros gross a year, putting Busquets alongside the leading local players like Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, but still behind Neymar and Lionel Messi on the club's pay scale.

His new release clause has reportedly been set at 175 million euros -- up from its previous level of 150 million euros.

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