Madrid - European champions Barcelona announced on Monday the extension of the contract of Rafa Marquez until 2012. Marquez' contract was due to expire in June 2010.
The Mexican defender, 30, is the latest Barca player to have agreed recently to a contract extension.
"I will really take advantage of these years," said Marquez after signing the extension, "and I will try to give my best...I am 30 years old and I still have two or three years in me."
Barca president Joan Laporta, for his part, said that "we are very happy because he (Marquez) is emblematic and has great human quality."
Various injuries have restricted Marquez' appearances this season and he may find it difficult to regain his place after the stellar performances of Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique in Sunday's "Clasico" defeat of Real Madrid.
