Marcos Alonso signs contract extension with Barcelona

Barcelona have announced that Marcos Alonso has signed a contract extension with the club.

The 32-year-old joined the Catalan giants on a free transfer from Chelsea last summer, initially penning a one-year deal with the club.

Barcelona had allegedly wanted to hand Alonso a longer deal at the time but were unable to due to their financial issues.

The Spaniard has been a regular for Xavi's side this season, making 19 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice in the process, with 10 of his outings coming in Spain's top flight.

There has been speculation surrounding an extension in recent weeks, and it has now been confirmed that the experienced defender has signed a contract until June 2024 with a release clause of €50m (£43.9m).

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"FC Barcelona and Marcos Alonso have reached an agreement for the player to extend his contract until 30 June 2024. The buyout clause has been set at €50m (£43.9m)," read a statement on Barcelona's official website.

"Having demonstrated his ability in defence and especially to slot into the Barça system with such elegance, he started playing at centre back, and it was from there that he added a second goal to his account.

"That was a powerful header in the derby with Espanyol at Spotify Camp Nou that ended 1-1.

"With two goals in 19 games so far, he has already collected his first trophy at Barca, the Spanish Super Cup won in Saudi Arabia."

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Xavi said that he was "very happy" with Alonso when asked about the Spaniard during his press conference to preview Saturday's La Liga contest with Girona.

"We are very happy with Marcos. He has adapted, he is reliable and proven. He has the maturity to play in many positions. He's a signing of a high level and a very important player for the team," said the Barcelona boss.

Alonso has been a late substitute in Barcelona's last two matches against Getafe and Real Sociedad in the league and Copa del Rey respectively.

The experienced defender made 212 appearances for Chelsea ahead of his move to Camp Nou, scoring 29 goals and contributing 23 assists during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso has primarily been a left-back throughout his career, but he has been used as a centre-back this season, with Barcelona suffering injury problems in the middle of their defence in the first half of the campaign.