Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has ended speculation over his future and has today put pen to paper on a lucrative two year deal.
The deal will keep him at the Bernabeu until the summer of 2016, after reaching an agreement with Ancelotti and the Madrid hiarachy.
The midfielder had turned down a deal last week, linking him with a move back to the Barclays Premier League.
But now it appears that Alonso is keen to stay in Spain, were he has had unlimited success since returning to his homeland, becoming one of Madrid’s key players in a squad of Galaticos.
Alonso missed the early portion of the campaign while recovering from groin and foot injuries and is still in the process of returning to top form. But the 32-year-old defensive midfielder has appeared in Real’s last eight league matches.
Alonso will provide support and stability in the centre of midfielder, with a real wealth of support, with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo both profiting from his superb passing skills.
With Alonso’s situation settled, there’s one less distraction as Real Madrid attempt to make a second-half charge in La Liga, as they are currently eight points behind arch rivals Barcelona.
Premier League sides Chelsea and Liverpool were interested in Alonso, but there would be now Anfield return for the Spaniard, who left Merseyside in 2009.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1