Lucas Leiva has signed a new long-term contract with the
club.
The Brazilian committed his future to the Reds by putting
pen to paper on his fresh deal at Melwood on Wednesday afternoon.
Immediately after signing the contract, Lucas said:
"It's another long-term contract that I have signed - but it was the same
feeling as when I first came here.
"I am really delighted to have the opportunity to play
for this club. It's where I think I belong and where I wanted to stay, so I am
very happy and looking forward to a few more years here.
"It was an easy decision because after the long period
of my career I have had here, I would like to give the best of my time to this
club. It was not a difficult decision to make and I am really looking forward
to what will hopefully be a few more years with a lot of success."
Lucas originally joined Liverpool from Gremio in the summer
of 2007. He has since gone on to make 208 first-team appearances, scoring six
goals.
The 26-year-old has since established himself as a firm
favourite among Reds fans.
Managing director Ian Ayre added: "It's fantastic. He
has been such a great servant to the club and I think during the period he went
through with his two injuries, he put so much work into it and the club
supported him through it.
"He just goes from strength to strength. We said
throughout last summer and January, we wanted to keep our best, experienced
players, and this is another great example of that.
"The manager has said several times that as well as
having a great, young squad, it's important we have experience and it's
important we have characters. People like Lucas fit that.
"He'll tell you he's still very young, but in
footballing terms he's experienced and a big part of the team."
