Barcelona hand Pinto new contract
Monday, March 28, 2011
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FC Barcelona have rewarded reserve goalkeeper José Pinto for his recent displays by extending the 35-year-old's contract with the Spanish champions by a further season.
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Goalkeeper José Pinto has signed a one-year contract extension at FC Barcelona, keeping the former RC Celta de Vigo player at the Camp Nou until June 2012.
The existing deal for the 35-year-old, who joined the Blaugrana in January 2008, was due to expire at the season's end but the second-choice custodian will lengthen his stay after some impressive performances deputising for No1 Víctor Valdés.
Pinto has played twice in the UEFA Champions League this term, keeping clean sheets in group stage victories against FC København and FC Rubin Kazan. Additionally, he has featured in three Spanish Liga matches and all eight games of Barcelona's run to the Copa del Rey final.
Josep Guardiola's charges will face FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, hosting the first leg on 6 April with the return match six days later.