Eight-year Betis deal for Dani

Daniel Martín Alexandre, better known as Dani, has signed an eight-year extension to his contract at Spanish club Real Betis Balompié worth €60m.

Fast deal
A Betis spokesman said the agreement was reached last week but the club decided to wait until after the Easter holidays to announce the deal with the 20-year-old forward. After finalising the contract with club president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, Dani expressed his happiness at the new terms, saying: "Can you imagine how happy I am? Everything has been very fast. We talked for a while with the president, then we signed, and that was all."

No wish to move
Spanish Under-21 international Dani was keen to renew his contract with Betis as soon as possible and was not interested in talking to any other clubs. "I did not want to wait. I am grateful to president Lopera, because he had the courage to renew and modify my contract after playing only eight matches in the league. I do not want to leave. Betis is my life," he concluded.

Promoted from reserves
Dani burst onto the Spanish football scene when injuries to Gáston Casas, Gabriel Omar Amato and Portuguese João Tomás forced coach Juande Ramos to promote him from the reserves.
He proved an instant hit for Betis, and despite having made only nine starts is their leading scorer with five goals.

European hopes
Betis are currently fifth in the Primera División, just one place away from a first-ever UEFA Champions League qualification.