Lucas signs long-term Liverpool deal
Posted Thursday, March 31, 2011 by UK.eurosport.yahoo.com
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has signed a new long-term contract with the club.
The Brazil international is currently enjoying his best season in a red shirt since arriving from Gremio in the summer of 2007 for £5million.
"We are delighted," manager Kenny Dalglish told the club's website.
"Certainly since I came in (in January) he has been a great asset to the team and has done tremendously well. He's happy to be here and play for the club and he's getting everything he deserves at the moment."
Lucas has grown in stature as a central midfielder following the departure of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano in recent seasons and made his 100th Premier League appearance against Wigan in February.
With the 24-year-old's previous contract having only just over a year to run and continued speculation about Liverpool renewing their interest in Blackpool's Charlie Adam in the summer, there had been suggestions Lucas could be on his way out.
Only this week he was linked with Serie A side Napoli but the Brazilian has always insisted he wanted to remain at Anfield and he has got his wish.
Lucas was a much-derided figure among many fans for a lot of his early years on Merseyside, although former manager Rafael Benitez's confidence in the player was unerring.
The Spaniard's faith was ultimately proved well-placed as the midfielder has established himself with both club and country.
Lucas added: "The effort from the club was amazing and that makes me feel an important player. That's why it was an easy decision.
"I am pleased with the way Liverpool tried to keep me and now I want to keep doing my best for them. I don't think people thought I could stay here for so long, but now I want to just keep on improving.
"I am really happy. The last few weeks have been really good for me and now I have signed a new contract and can spend more years at Liverpool I will do my best all the time and try to help the club to be bigger and bigger, if that's possible."
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