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E-mail Xinhua, January 24, 2025
FC Barcelona has announced that Uruguayan central defender Ronald Araujo has signed a new contract until the end of June 2031.
Napoli's Victor Osimhen (L) vies with Barcelona's Ronald Araujo during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st leg match between Napoli and Barcelona in Naples, Italy, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
The move represents an incredible turnaround for the 25-year-old, who looked to be closing in on a big-money move to either Juventus or Arsenal only days ago, after protracted talks over his future with Barca had failed to see an agreement.
Araujo and his representative were at the office of Barcelona president Joan Laporta to sign the new contract in the presence of Laporta and Barcelona's Director of Sport, Deco.
The Uruguayan missed the first half of the season after needing an operation on a serious hamstring injury, and only returned to action in the Spanish Supercup final against Real Madrid when he replaced the injured Inigo Martinez in the first half of Barca's 5-2 win.
He has started every game since then and has impressed on his comeback, and with Martinez still out until the middle of February and Eric Garcia being linked with a possible return to Girona, it is vital for Barca to keep hold of Araujo or risk having 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi as the only fit specialist central defender in their squad.
Araujo has so far played 154 times for the Barca first team, scoring eight goals, and also made 44 appearances with the B-team.
