Forlán makes Atlético commitment

Club Atlético de Madrid have secured the services of striker Diego Forlán for a further two years after the Uruguayan agreed terms on an improved deal until 2013.

Crowd pleaser
Signed from Villarreal CF as a replacement for Fernando Torres in July 2007, Forlán struck 16 Liga goals in his first season in the Spanish capital while last year's tally of 32 in 33 appearances earned him Pichichi and ESM Golden Shoe accolades for the second time. The 30-year-old said: "It's a dream to be able to extend my contract for two more seasons. I said from the first day I arrived at this club that I was happy to be here and that I hoped to continue playing for Atlético for many years."

Improvement predicted
Atlético have just seven points and one win from ten Liga matches this term and lie 18th in the 20-team standings, while they are left to fight it out with APOEL FC to secure a UEFA Europa League slot after being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League on Matchday 4. "Right now the most important thing is to get out of the situation we find ourselves in," added Forlán. "I'm sure that in a short space of time we'll be where we're supposed to be thanks to better results on the pitch."