Barca’s Pinto renews contract until June 2014

Barcelona’s number two goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto has extended his contract for another year with the Catalan club which until June 30th 2014, according to Barcelona sources.

The keeper has been trying for several weeks to renew his contract with club board and has finally reached an agreement that will keep him at the Catalan club for another season. According to the club, the contract will be signed within the next few weeks.

37-year-old José Manuel Pinto joined FC Barcelona during the winter of the 2007-08 season, to replace keeper Albert Jonquera, who was injured for a long period. The goalkeeper, who was originally a product of the Real Betis youth system, arrived on loan from Celta de Vigo, was signed by Barca the following year and since then, has had five seasons as a Barcelona player, having played 52 games.

Pinto made his first league appearance for the Catalans 0n 20th February 2011 against Athletic Bilbao in which Barca won by two goals to one.

Pinto has been called the ‘Cup goalkeeper’ as Pep Guardiola used to rely on him to defend the Barca goal in the absence of Victor Valdés and whenever he was needed in the Copa del Rey. With Tito Vilanova watching from the sidelines, the Andalusian keeper is continuing in pretty much the same way, but has already managed to lift the Copa del Rey trophy on two occasions (2008/9 and 2011/12).