Saul has agreed upon a nine-year contract extension with Atletico Madrid that will run until June 2016. The deal is one of the longest in soccer history.

Saul has emerged as one of the most exciting midfield talents in Europe over the past two seasons.

“I am very happy because at Atlético we are a family and there is no better place to be,” Ñíguez said in a statement.

“I will work my full potential on the field as always to pay back the trust that the club is giving to me. I’d like to thank all my team-mates and the coaching staff for their help day by day so that I can be the player I am today.”