Abidal agrees Barcelona contract extension
Reuters - Monday 16 January 2012, 21:00
France defender Eric Abidal
has agreed a new one-year deal with Barcelona which ties him
until 2013 with automatic options to extend it by two more
years, the world, European and Spanish champions said on Monday.
Negotiations on a new contract had been held up by changes
in the tax law brought about by the recent change in government
in Spain and by reported interest from Qatar-owned Ligue 1 side
Paris St Germain.
The 32-year-old, a cult figure with Barca fans, joined the
Catalan club in 2007 and his existing contract was due to expire
at the end of the current campaign.
Abidal had surgery to remove a liver tumour early last year
before making a triumphant return to lift the Champions League
trophy at Wembley last May.
The former AS Monaco, Lille and Olympique Lyon player has
made 177 appearances for Barca and scored just one goal.