Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has recently signed a new contract with the club after he has extended his deal by four more years. The official website of the club revealed the news by saying that Javier Mascherano is now contacted to the club until 2017.

The former Liverpool midfielder arrived at the camp Nou for around £ 25 million and has been impressive ever since. Even though he has been utilised in the defensive positions by the manager Guardiola last season, he managed to have a very good season. It is expected that the new Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova will continue playing Javier Mascherano as a defender.

The 28-year-old as one of the experienced members of the squad after having played numerous games for both club and country. It has been two seasons since the arrival of the Argentine and he has helped Barcelona lift numerous trophies during this period. He has been able to lift the Champions League, la Liga title and numerous other trophies during his two seasons at the club. In contrast, he spent the same amount of time at Anfield without any success. Javier Mascherano has said that he is extremely overjoyed to commit to a new contract with one of the best clubs in the world.

"Mascherano has become a key player for us. Since Guardiola played him in central defence I don't think he has had a bad game," said the Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi after the news came through that the defender had agreed a new deal with the club. His initial contract with the club had a release clause of € 90 million, but following the new deal, it has been increased to € 100 million. Hence, it is almost impossible for any club to even think about buying the midfielder from the Catalan club.