MADRID, April 26 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona on Tuesday confirmed that Uruguayan central defender Ronald Araujo has signed a new contract until June 2026.
The news ends months of speculation over Araujo's next destination, after negotiations over the former B-teamer's future and rumors of offers from other clubs.
However, negotiations advanced quickly over the past few weeks, mainly attributed to Araujo's wish to remain in Barcelona.
The player's new deal also contains a 1,000 million-euro release clause.
Araujo arrived at Barcelona in 2018 from Uruguayan second-tier team Boston River and made 42 appearances for the club's B-team before making his first-team debut at the end of the 2019-20 season.
In the following campaign, he made 33 first-team appearances, impressing with his speed and power in the air, while he has played 39 times in the current campaign despite suffering minor injuries.
Araujo has also shown that he can fill in at right-back if needed.
The club's next objective will be to reach an agreement with 17-year-old Gavi, who has become a key player for coach Xavi Hernandez since making his first-team debut at the end of August. ■
