Valbuena extends deal with Marseille until 2017

MARSEILLE (AFP) –

Marseille’s French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena leaves the pitch at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, on January 6, 2013. Valbuena has extended his contract with Ligue 1 giants Marseille until 2017, the club announced on Monday.

France international midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has extended his contract with Ligue 1 giants Marseille until 2017, the club announced on Monday.

“After arriving at the club from Libourne-Saint-Seurin in 2006, the French international is now under contract with l’OM until 2017,” read a statement on the club’s website.

The 28-year-old helped Marseille to the French championship and League Cup in 2010 and burst onto the international scene on the eve of the 2010 World Cup when he scored the winning goal on his debut against Costa Rica, after coming on as a second-half substitute.

He has scored four goals in 19 matches for France, although his only appearance at the World Cup was as a substitute during the 2-0 defeat against Mexico, when Raymond Domenech’s doomed side crashed out in the first round.

The diminutive offensive-minded midfielder came up through the youth ranks at Bordeaux before moving to third division Libourne and finally Marseille in 2006 where he has now made almost 200 top flight appearances.