Javier Mascherano extends Barcelona contract through 2018

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Barcelona has signed Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano to a contract extension that will keep the player at the club through 2018.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Barcelona has signed Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano to a contract extension that will keep the player at the club through 2018.

Barcelona says in a statement that its agreement with the 30-year old former Liverpool and Corinthians player will retain his buyout clause fixed at 100 million euros ($136 million).

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Mascherano joined Barcelona from Liverpool in 2010 and under former coach Pep Guardiola moved from his natural midfield role - which he maintains with the Argentina squad - to central defense. Argentina's midfield lineup for the World Cup includes Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid, Ever Banega of Newell's Old Boys and Jose Sosa of Atletico Madrid alongside Mascherano.