Barcelona sporting director Deco confirmed on Saturday that Brazilian winger Raphinha has agreed to extend his contract with the club until 2030. The announcement was made during the club's general assembly, marking a significant retention victory for the Catalan side as they look to secure their star player for the next four years.
"Raphinha's renewal is quite advanced… Rafa will be with us for the next four years," Deco stated. The 29-year-old has been instrumental in Barcelona's current success, having joined the club from Leeds United in 2022. His status as a key figure was solidified following the arrival of coach Hansi Flick in 2024.
Raphinha has enjoyed a brilliant start to the current campaign, leading La Liga's goalscoring charts with nine goals in just six matches. Notably, he has achieved this record output while playing out of his natural position as a central striker, demonstrating his versatility and impact on the team's offensive strategy.
In addition to the high-profile renewal, Deco revealed that the club is finalizing contracts for two young talents. Youngsters Xavi Espart and Marc Bernal are expected to sign new deals with Barcelona in the coming days, further strengthening the squad's depth.
"They are three players who we've got sorted for renewals in the last week," Deco added, highlighting the club's recent progress in securing long-term commitments from key personnel across different age groups.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
