Atletico Madrid ace Saul Niguez signs a stunning nine-year contract until 2026 ending speculation over his future
Europe's biggest clubs have been monitoring the midfielder's situation but he has committed his future to the Spanish side
ATLETICO MADRID ace Saul Niguez has signed a stunning NINE-YEAR contract until the summer of 2026 - which technically breaks Fifa rules.
Fifa regulations state that 'the maximum length of a contract shall be five years' but they have found a loophole through Spanish employment laws.
The deal effectively ends any hope of European giants attempting to land his signature during the current transfer window.
La Liga rivals Barcelona were plotting to match the £71million release clause in his contract in order to land the Spanish Under-21 ace.
Saul previously had a contract until the summer of 2021 but extended it for another five-years meaning he will be at the club until the age of 31.
Speaking of his contract extension, he told Atletico's official website: "I am very happy because at Atleti we are a family and there is no better place to be.
“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 teammates and the coaching staff for their help day by day so that I can be the player I am today”.
It is one of the longest contracts ever in football with Denilson holding the record when he penned a 11-year contract with Real Betis in 1997.
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Saul joined the club's academy from Elche in 2007 and has progressed to become one of the most talented midfielders in world football.
And he was the star of the show at the Under-21 Euro's after winning the Golden Boot with five goals as Spain finished runners-up to Germany.
Atletico are determined to keep hold of their stars whilst they undergo a transfer ban which ends in January.
The Spanish side can agree a deal in principle with a player but can't register them to feature until the New Year.