Barcelona confirm 'lifetime' contract for star midfielder Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta's earlier contract at Barcelona was set to run down in the summer of 2018.

Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta is currently Barcelona's captain since 2015 Reuters

Barcelona have confirmed their midfielder Andres Iniesta has committed his future to the Catalan club by signing a "lifetime" contract at Camp Nou on 6 October.

The Spain international came up through the ranks of the club's youth system before being promoted to the first team in 2002. He has been instrumental for Barcelona, winning four Champions League, eight La Liga and three Fifa Club World Cup along with other major honours.

Iniesta was crucial in Barcelona's side alongside Xavi, who left the Spanish side in 2015. The 33-year-old had less than a year left on his earlier contract. However, the new deal will keep him at Barcelona for the rest of his career.

"FC Barcelona and Andrés Iniesta have agreed to a deal that will keep the midfielder in blaugrana for the remainder of his career," a statement read on Barcelona's official website.

"Andrés Iniesta signed a lifetime contract with FC Barcelona on Friday, in a deal that will keep him at the Club for the rest of his career. The signing will take place at Camp Nou at 12:30pm CET.

"Following the signing, around 1.00pm local time, FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu and Iniesta will address the media in the Camp Nou press room.

"The Spanish midfielder, who has made 639 appearances for Barça, ranks second on the all-time games played list at the Club. He has scored 55 goals for the first team, for which he debuted on October 29th, 2002.

"Since 2015 Iniesta has been the team's first captain, and is one of the Club's most distinguished symbols. The 33-year-old midfielder joined the Club in September 1996, at the age of 12. Iniesta and Leo Messi share the record for the most titles in Barça history, with 30."

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