Arbeloa commits long-term to Madrid
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Article summary
Real Madrid CF and Spain defender Álvaro Arbeloa said "this is hopefully not my last renewal" after signing a two-year contract extension to keep him at the Liga champions until summer 2016.
Article top media content
Article body
Real Madrid CF defender Álvaro Arbeloa has signed a two-year contract extension to keep him at the Spanish champions until summer 2016.
Since starting his second spell at the club in 2009, the Spain full-back has proved a versatile addition, playing on either flank and sometimes in the centre. The 29-year-old first came to Madrid after leaving Real Zaragoza's academy in 2001/02, but had spells at RC Deportivo La Coruña and Liverpool FC before returning.
As well as last season's Liga win for Madrid, Arbeloa was in the Spain squads that won the last two UEFA European Championships and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"This extension comes at a good time," he said. "Things are going well and I am proud to be here. It is hard to retire at this club because the demand is the greatest. Here there are always the best players in the world, but this is hopefully not my last renewal.
"I'm very comfortable here. Sometimes I play more and sometimes less, but [José] Mourinho has managed to get the best out of me. I am very grateful." Madrid enter the UEFA Champions League in the group stage.
