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


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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.



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.