‘Never any danger’ - Neymar signs new Barcelona contract

‘Happy to continue living this dream! LONG LIVE BARCA and LONG LIVE CATALONIA!”’

Neymar is going nowhere. Photograph: Getty Images
Neymar is going nowhere. Photograph: Getty Images

Barcelona forward Neymar has signed a new contract which will keep him with the Primera Division champions until 2021.

The 24-year-old joined Barca from Santos in 2013 and has won eight trophies during his time at the Nou Camp.

The Brazil international has claimed two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey twice and the Champions League in 2015.

A statement on the club’s website read: “Barcelona and Neymar have signed a contract extension for the footballer which will keep him at the club for the next five seasons, until June 30th, 2021.

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“The player’s buyout clause has been fixed at €200 million for the first year of his contract, €222 million for the second and €250 million for the remaining three years.”

Neymar’s future has been the subject of widespread speculation this summer, with reports linking him with a big-money move away from the Catalan giants as he entered the last two years of his Barca contract.

However, after scoring 85 goals in 141 games for the club, his long-term future appears to be with Luis Enrique’s side.

Neymar hinted at the deal yesterday when he wrote on Twitter: “Very happy to continue living this dream! LONG LIVE BARCA and LONG LIVE CATALONIA!”

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu also told a press conference on Thursday that a deal with Neymar was agreed.

Bartomeu said: “Neymar told us that he wanted to continue and we wanted him to stay, so there’s never been any danger. In the coming days we will confirm Neymar’s new contract for the next five years.

“It’s normal that other clubs are interested him, but I’ll make this clear, he’s never told us he wants to leave.”