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Neymar signs new Barcelona contract

Brazil forward Neymar has finally signed a new five-year deal with Barca, more than three months after it was initially agreed.

Barcelona's Neymar celebrates scoring their fourth goal
Barcelona's Neymar celebrates scoring their fourth goal Reuters / Albert Gea
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Brazilian superstar Neymar signed a new five-year contract with Barcelona on Friday that will keep him at the Spanish champions until 2021, saying he felt "at home" at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona had first announced they had reached a deal with the Neymar on 1 July, setting his buyout clause at 200 million euros for the first year, 222 million for the second and 250 million for the final three. That’s how Barcelona seek to ward off interest from potential suitors across Europe.

Manchester United were reportedly chief among a number of clubs wishing to prise the 24-year-old attacker from Barcelona, where he forms part of an acclaimed triumvirate along with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Feels at home at Barca

"I'm very happy to renew with the club, I feel at home," Neymar told Barcelona's official television station.

"Before I came to Barcelona I was obviously already well aware that they were a massive club. The players here are incredible and, from the outside, that intimidated me a bit before I joined. But as soon as I walked into the dressing room it was clear how down-to-earth they were. I was really struck by that, and it helped me to settle in.

"I thought, with my family, that it was best for me to stay here."

The Brazilian has hit 91 goals in 150 matches in all competitions for Barcelona since arriving from the Brazilian club Santos in 2013 in a controversial deal.

Barcelona, who underlined their status as European heavyweights with a 4-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League during the week, did not give details of how much they would be paying Neymar.

"Neymar Jr extended his deal with FC Barcelona on Friday afternoon, putting pen to paper on his contract at the club's facilities in the presence of president Josep Maria Bartomeu," the club said on its website.

"As the club announced, Neymar has signed a five-year deal which will keep him at Barca until 30 June 2021."

Legal wrangles

The nature of his signing, however, has brought the club and player prolonged legal problems.

In July a Spanish judge ruled that there were irregularities in Neymar's 2013 transfer to Barcelona from Santos but said it was an issue for a civil court, not a criminal court to settle.

Last month authorities reopened the case following a successful appeal by Spanish prosecutors.

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