Understudy Pinto extends Barca deal

Barcelona reserve goalkeeper Jose Pinto has put pen to paper a new contract, which ties him to the club until 2014.

The 37-year-old’s deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but he has elected to prolong his stay at Camp Nou for another 12 months at least.

“I feel fortunate to make history with this wonderful team,” he was quoted as saying on the club’s official website.

Pinto joined Barca from Celta Vigo on loan in January 2008, and made his switch permanent at the end of the 2007/08 campaign.

He has made 15 appearances in La Liga for Barca while serving as an understudy for Victor Valdes, who this season announced his intention not to sign a new contract.

Valdes, 31, wishes to seek a new challenge by finishing his career away from Camp Nou, potentially opening the door for Pinto to compete for the number one jersey.