Gerard Pique extends Barcelona deal

File photo of Gerard Pique (Reuters)

Barcelona: Resurgent Barcelona were given a fresh boost on Thursday when key defender Gerard Pique signed a contract extension until 2022.

Having recently lost Brazilian superstar Neymar in an aggressive contract buy-out by Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona have put a €500 million buyout clause in Pique's new contract.

"The club and the player have agreed terms on a new deal through to June 30, 2022. We will announce when the official signing will take place in a couple of days," Barcelona said on their website.

The 30-year-old joined Barcelona from Manchester United in 2008 and has proved an increasingly steady presence as a centre-back with the Catalans winning three Champions Leagues and six Spanish Liga titles during his tenure.

[BREAKING NEWS]@3gerardpique has agreed a new @FCBarcelona contract until 2022
Full story https://t.co/Reo9RsJ3IU
#Pique2022 pic.twitter.com/wTEJKc6Gd5 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 18, 2018

The 6-feet-4-inch Pique was part of the Spain side that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships.

Barcelona currently top the Spanish League with a nine-point lead over Atletico Madrid, but are an impressive 19 points clear of fourth-placed arch-rivals Real Madrid.