Official: Ronald Araujo signs new contract with Barcelona until 2031 | OneFootball

It is official. FC Barcelona have announced the second captain and key defender Ronald Araujo has signed a new contract with the club.

“FC Barcelona and Ronald Araujo have reached an agreement on an extension to the player’s contract, tying him to the club through to 30 June 2031,” the club statement reads.

“The centre back put pen to paper this Thursday at an event where he was joined by club president Joan Laporta; first vice-president Rafa Yuste; and director of sport Anderson Luis de Souza ‘Deco’.”

Araujo’s previous deal was set to expire in 2026, leading to speculations about his future. In fact, a transfer to Serie A giants Juventus appeared very much on the cards during the ongoing transfer window.

However, after talks with sporting director Deco, the Uruguayan international decided to remain as a Barcelona player.

Araujo has now signed a long-term contract with the Blaugrana that is supposed to keep him at the club until the summer of 2031.

However, his release clause amount, previously set at €1 billion, will reportedly be reduced to a more reasonable price, to provide the player with an escape route for the future if he changes his mind.

Araujo missed the first half of the current season due to an injury he picked up during the Copa America last summer.

Having made his return to action earlier this month, he is seeing regular minutes in defence thanks to Inigo Martinez’s injury-enforced absence.