Roberto Carlos signs new deal

Real Madrid full-back Roberto Carlos has signed an extension to his contract that should see him end his playing career at the club – ending talk of an impending move to Chelsea.

After months of speculation that the 31-year-old could abandon the club where he has spent the past eight seasons, the Brazilian has signed a three-year deal, with an option of a further year if all goes to plan.

Chelsea were rumoured to be very interested, although Carlos had always denied holding talks with owner Roman Abramovich or representatives of the west London club.

The agreement could also be the final act of director of sport Jorge Valdano before club president Florentino Perez formally calls for club elections in a General Assembly this evening.

“Real Madrid have operated in line with the aspiration to keep one of their most emblematic players with the club,” Valdano said on the club’s official website, www.realmadrid.com.

“The intention is that he finishes his career with the club.”

Valdano, who has been in the role for four years, has already said he will not continue during Perez’s next term of office, should Perez be re-elected in July.

But he can be satisfied at having secured the future of one of the club’s most popular players.

Carlos had always said he wanted to remain at Real Madrid, but was unhappy that the club originally offered him only a two-year contract, which he was not prepared to accept.

With only one year remaining on his current deal, that sparked speculation that Madrid would prefer to cash in on the former Inter Milan player, rather than see him leave on a free transfer at the end of next season.