Marquez signs new Barca deal

Rafael Marquez has signed a new contract to keep him at Barcelona until June 2012.

The 30-year-old Mexico defender's previous Nou Camp deal was due to expire next summer, leading to speculation he could move to the United States. But he was thrilled to end such talk today by committing his future to the Spanish and European champions.

"I am pleased to renew my contract at the club where I feel very loved," he told www.fcbarcelona.cat.

"I have to rediscover my best form in order to try to get back into the first team, although the competition is tough. I believe I still have a lot of chances to be in the starting XI."

President Joan Laporta was equally delighted to have secured the services of someone he considers "an iconic player".

Laporta added: "He is a man who has always been committed to the team and the club and has shown a great respect for the club. I think he is one of the great defenders in the history of FC Barcelona."

Marquez joined the Blaugrana from Monaco in 2003 and has made 227 appearances in all competitions for the Catalans.

He becomes the eighth player to commit his future to the club in recent months, following in the footsteps of Yaya Toure, Victor Valdes, Pedro, Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol, Eric Abidal and Andres Iniesta.

In other good news for Barca, Argentina defender Gabriel Milito has been passed fit for action by club doctors after being sidelined for 18 months with cruciate ligament damage to his right knee.

The 29-year-old suffered the injury during his team's Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester United in April 2008 and has since suffered setback after setback on his way back to fitness.