New deal for Valencia stalwart Albelda

Veteran Valencia midfielder David Albelda is on the brink of a club record after signing a new one-year contract. The 34-year-old will remain at Los Che until the summer of 2013 in a deal that will leave him just one season short of Ricardo Arias' record 16-year stay at the Mestalla. Albelda, who was capped 51 times by Spain, made his Valencia debut in the 1997/98 campaign and has since won two Primera Division titles and a UEFA Cup as well as reaching two UEFA Champions League finals. "Valencia CF and David Albelda have reached an agreement for an extension to the player's contract, running through to 30th June 2013," a club statement read. "It will be Albelda's 15th season with the first team since his debut back in 1997/98 and he has become one of the most celebrated players in VCF history."