Madrid - European champions Barcelona announced on Friday the extension of the contract of captain Carles Puyol for three years, until 2013. Puyol's contract was due to expire in June 2010, which had given rise to rumours about the veteran defender possibly leaving the Camp Nou at the end of this season.
Puyol and coach Josep Guardiola gave the news of the extension to the Barca squad before training on Friday, which lead to Puyol being applauded by his team-mates.
Playmaker Xavi told the media after training that "this is very good news."
Puyol, 31, is a product of Barca's famed youth scheme. He was first brought into the first-team squad by Louis van Gaal in 2000.
He has captained Barca to three Spanish league triumphs and to two Champions Leagues, as well as helping Spain to triumph at Euro 2008.
Puyol has played in all four defensive positions for Barca and will play at right-back for the next three weeks because of the torn muscle suffered by Dani Alves in Tuesday's surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Rubin Kazan in the Champions League.
