<
>

Sergio Busquets agrees Barcelona contract extension until 2023

Barcelona have announced Sergio Busquets has agreed a new contract until 2023 that includes a €500 million release clause to ward off interest from rival clubs.

Barca have made a habit of inserting large release clauses in players' contracts ever since Paris Saint-Germain signed Neymar for €222m in 2016.

All-time top scorer Lionel Messi penned a new contract last year with a €700m release clause, while defender Gerard Pique signed a deal with a €500m clause in January.

Busquets, 30, made his Barcelona debut in 2008 under Pep Guardiola, who was also his coach in the club's reserve team.

His father Carles was a former team mate of Guardiola's at Barca, where he spent nine years as a goalkeeper.

The midfielder has played 490 games for Barcelona, winning seven La Liga and three Champions League titles as well as six domestic Cups.

He also lifted the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship trophies with Spain.