Pavon signs seven-year extension

Real Madrid CF defender Francisco Pavon signed a seven-year contract extension with the UEFA Champions League challengers on Thursday.

Dependable partnership
Pavon, who turns 22 on 9 January, was promoted from Madrid's second team in October following an injury to regular centre-back Aitor Karanka. He made his debut against Spartak Moscow FC and has played in every game since, forming a dependable partnership with Fernando Hierro to help the Spanish champions overcome a poor start to their title defence.

‘Everything is going perfectly’
"I can't ask for any more than this," Pavon said. "All I've ever wanted is to play for Real Madrid. Everything is going perfectly. I am playing with the first team, I've got a new contract. I hope to fulfil the expectations of the club and to continue working day to day to improve and to be useful."

Chance to impress
Madrid president Florentino Perez said earlier this year that the club would only move into the transfer market in the future to sign the world's best players and would otherwise rely on home grown talent. Despite having broken the world transfer record twice to bring in Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane, second and third team players such as Pavon and Rául Bravo have consistently been handed a chance to impress.

Valdano hopeful
Madrid director Jorge Valdano added: "If Pavon maintains the same conduct he has up to now, he could finish his career with us at Real Madrid."