[jbryant1]

Maxi Rodriguez Extends Atleti Contract
goal.com

Argentine international Maxi Rodriguez has put pen to paper on a new contract, which will keep him at El Calderon until 2010.
Foto articolo
Maxi's contract was set to run out at the end of next season, and Atletico Madrid have tied him down for a longer period.

While happy in Madrid, Maxi had been in Inter Milan's sights, and that also speeded up the negotiations between the player and the club.

The deal just signed extends his deal by three seasons, offering him improved terms, while also reportedly doubling his buyout clause, to around the 25 million Euro mark.

Maxi Rodriguez arrived at Atletico last summer in exchange for a very modest sum of money, after having an astonishing season for Espanyol, which saw him score 15 goals as the Catalans qualified for the Uefa Cup.

He has since been an integral part of both Bianchi's and Pepe Murcia's team's, and has held his own on the right of the Atletico Madrid midfield, scoring 10 goals despite the Rojiblancos' struggles last season.

With the likes of Pernia, Aguero, Mista, and Costinha coming in to strengthen the team and help carry it up the League table, letting Maxi go would hardly have been clever, and a quick agreement was reached.