Valencia reach Albelda agreement

Valencia CF captain David Albelda has agreed a contract extension that will keep the Spanish international at the club until 30 June 2011.

Medal haul
The 29-year-old midfielder, who has won 44 international caps, started his career with the Spanish club's youth teams and, after two spells at neighbouring Villarreal CF in 1996/97 and 1998/99, established himself in Valencia's first team. He has gone on to make 222 Primera División appearances and while at Mestalla has won the 2004 UEFA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup a year later, two Spanish league titles and the 1999 Spanish Super Cup with Valencia, whom he also helped to the UEFA Champions League final in 2000 and 2001.

'Strange season'
"It's been a difficult and strange season but both parties wanted the same thing," said Albelda, who missed two months of the campaign with a knee ligament injury. "With this new contract I can guarantee I will retire at the club because I don't know what state I will be in at the age of 34. I want to thank the club and everyone else for trusting me and making me feel comfortable here." Valencia finished fourth in Spain in 2006/07, and will enter the UEFA Champions League in the third qualifying round.