Dani Alves Signs Two-Year Extension With FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona defender Dani Alves signed a two-year extension with FC Barcelona, as his contract was due to expire this summer.

The Brazil international's future was undetermined even after he helped Barca win a treble (La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey) in the recently concluded season. At 32, he showed that he still had a lot left in him, tallying 11 assists in all competitions, while also being a force on the defensive end.

He was quoted to have had considered moving to the Serie A, with AC Milan and Juventus as possible destinations, but the clamour of Barcelona supporters to retain the services of the former Sevilla man might have gotten all the way to the Nou Camp hierarchy that they gave him two more years to don the Catalan club's colour.

Teammate and fellow defender Jordi Alba was delighted to learn of the said development, complimenting Alves for his positive influence to colleagues around him.

"I am really happy," Alba was quoted on Reuters.

"He is a great person and one of the best professionals I have shared a dressing room with. I didn't really know what he was planning to do but I am really pleased as he is a very important player for us."

Alves' name came to prominence after helping Sevilla to win two Europa League (then UEFA Cup) crowns in 2005-06 and 2006-07, wherein he was adjudged as the tournament's most valuable player during their first run. He has already made a total of 343 appearances for the Blaugrana with 20 goals and 95 assists under his belt.

Meanwhile, the signing of Aleix Vidal from Sevilla could mean that Alves' role as a regular starter for Luis Enrique's side is no longer guaranteed. The 25-year-old Valls, Spain native has the skills and technique to usurp the spot that Alves had been holding since 2008.

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