Veteran Albelda extends Valencia stay
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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Long-serving midfielder David Albelda has signed a one-year contract extension with Valencia CF, keeping the 33-year-old at the club for a 13th consecutive season.
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David Albelda's career at Valencia CF will continue into a 13th consecutive season after the midfielder agreed a new one-year contract with the club.
The 33-year-old broke into the first team at Mestalla in the 1997/98 but spent the season either side on loan at Villarreal CF. He returned to Valencia in 1999, however, and has gone on to play 311 league matches for the club, scoring six goals. During that time, Albelda, capped 51 times by Spain, has won two league titles along with winner's medals in the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Injuries hampered Albelda last term but coach Unai Emery still selected him in 16 league games and four UEFA Champions League fixtures as Valencia reached the round of 16. A third-placed finish in the Spanish Liga ensured qualification for the group stage of Europe's premier club competition for the 2011/12 campaign.
