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          Maicon signs contract extension with Roma, Kevin Strootman back training

          • Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondentOct 13, 2014, 05:43 PM

          Brazil international Maicon has signed a one-year contract extension with Roma, tying him to the Serie A club until 2016.

          The former Manchester City and Inter Milan defender joined the Giallorossi just over a year ago on a free transfer from the Premier League champions.

          The 33-year-old full-back made 28 Serie A appearances last season -- more than double the amount he made in his solitary Premier League season before returning to Italy.

          Maicon has played five times in the 2014-15 campaign and appears to be Rudi Garcia's first-choice player on the right-hand side of his defence.

          "It's an honour for me to be able to wear this shirt for a long time to come," said the 33-year-old according to Il Quotidiano Sportivo. "It's a great honour and now it's up to me [to repay the club's faith]."

          The Brazilian's new contract is due to expire in the summer of 2016 and, according to a club statement, it includes an option for a one-year extension. His previous deal was due to expire at the end of the current season.

          The club also confirmed on Monday that Manchester United target Kevin Strootman has returned to training with his teammates after being out of action since March with a serious knee injury.