FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.04.2010 13:33

Pinto renews Barça contract

www.fcbarcelona.cat

José Manuel Pinto has extended his contract with FC Barcelona and will remain at the club for at least one more season.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper has put pen-to-paper on the new deal that lasts until June 30, 2011. Signing the contract, that includes a €5million buy-out clause, on Friday morning Pinto explained: “I am very pleased. We here for a reason and that is to ensure that the club have the best possible goalkeeping coverage.”

Unique qualities

Pinto inked the new agreement alongside president Joan Laporta, treasurer Xavier Sala Martín, technical secretary Txiki Begiristain and sporting director Raúl Sanllehí. “We are well-covered in the goalkeeping areas with two great people that are also great players,” Laporta explained. “The role of the keeper that does not always play is vital. He has to have unique qualities and we have that in him.”

Cup penalty

In 2008 Pinto was signed by Barça from Celta Vigo as back-up for Víctor Valdés after Albert Jorquera suffered as serious knee injury. He remained with Celta for the season on loan, the club where he won the Zamora trophy as the league’s best keeper 2006. He then settled in quickly at Camp Nou and became a popular member of the squad.

Helping Barça to win the treble during the 2008/09 season Pinto was a regular in the Copa del Rey. In the semi-final he made a crucial penalty save against Real Mallorca at a delicate stage in the second leg and helped the team into the final.

In just under two years at the club Pinto has played in 18 games and let in 18 goals. Five of those matches have been in the league while the other 13 have come in the Copa del Rey.