Javi García has signed a four-year contract extension with UEFA Champions League contenders SL Benfica.

The 25-year-old midfielder's new deal will keep him at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica until June 2018. "This is one of happiest days of my life," said the former Spain Under-21 international. "Since I arrived here my plan was to leave my mark and write my name in the club's history."

The ex-Real Madrid CF and CA Osasuna prospect arrived at Benfica ahead of the 2009/10 season and proved true to his word by winning the league in his first campaign with the Lisbon club.

Javi García could claim a second Liga crown this term with the Eagles three points adrift of leaders FC Porto, while Jorge Jesus's men await the draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League on 16 March after sealing their place on Tuesday with a 4-3 aggregate success against FC Zenit St Petersburg.