Central defender Tonel has signed a new contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal binding him to the Liga title contenders until the summer of 2011.

Enhanced deal
The player, who turns 27 tomorrow, joined on a four-year deal from A. Académica de Coimbra in 2005 but has been rewarded for his sterling displays in his second season in Lisbon. "I am very happy about the new four-year deal with Sporting," he said. "I've had some good times here and I hope that I can stay and win a title with the club."

Lisbon development
Having made his Portugal debut in a 3-0 UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying win against Kazakhstan in November, Tonel is pleased with his progress in the capital. "I've developed as a player and as a person since I arrived here and I can say my life has been great since I moved to Lisbon." He has played in 20 league games this season, scoring twice.

Liga position
Sporting are third in the Liga, four points adrift of leaders FC Porto but just a point behind second-placed SL Benfica. The top three sides in Portugal will all take part in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League, but the club which finishes third will have to earn their place in the group stage via the third qualifying round.