Fontas extends contract with Barcelona

FC Barcelona have extended the contract of young central defender Andreu Fontas until the end of June 2015. The 21-year-old, who was promoted into the Barcelona first team squad from the B-team last January and who went on to make six first team appearances, has only made one league appearance so far this season, but is a key part of coach Pep Guardiola's plans for the future. Barcelona have agreed to extend his current deal by two years while raising Fontas' buyout clause to 70 million euros. "I am very happy to have renewed my contract with the first team, it is a sign that the club has confidence in me and now more than I have to show that I am here to do whatever is needed. I work my hardest every day to show I am worth my place at the club," said Fontas in declarations to the club's official website. Meanwhile Barcelona received more good news with French defender Eric Abidal insisting that he fully intends and expects to reach an agreement with the club to extend his stay at the club. Abidal, who last season recovered from an operation to remove a tumor from his liver, is very popular at Barcelona and the club aims to end speculation over his future as his current deal expires at the end of this season.