Ramos signs new five-year Real deal
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Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has ended speculation surrounding his future by signing a new five-year deal with the Spanish giants, the club has confirmed.
Ramos had been courted by Manchester United during a stand-off in negotiations between his representatives and Madrid president Florentino Perez over the Spanish international's salary with his previous deal set to expire in 2017. However, the club said in a statement he will remain "tied to the club for the next five seasons."
Ramos is now Madrid's longest serving player having signed from Sevilla ten years ago as a 19-year-old and will be club captain for the first time this season after Iker Casillas's 18-year career at the Bernabeu came to an end when he joined Porto last month.
Despite holding an unwanted record as the Madrid player to have seen most red cards in the history of the club with a staggering 19 dismissals, Ramos is a hero amongst the Real support and is most fondly remembered for scoring the goal that saved Los Blancos from losing the 2014 Champions League final to local rivals Atletico Madrid.
His stoppage time header forced the game into extra-time where the white half of Madrid went onto dominate and run out 4-1 winners to complete his own personal repertoire of honours, which also includes three La Liga titles and two Copa del Reys as well as the World Cup and two European Championships at international level with Spain.
By committing to stay at the Bernabeu, Ramos has offered a huge lift to a Real side in need of a confidence boost ahead of the kick-off to the Spanish La Liga campaign next weekend.
Madrid begin their league campaign away to newly promoted Sporting Gijon on 23 August.