Javier Mascherano agrees new contract: Argentina international will stay at Barcelona until 2018

Mascherano's 100m euros release clause remains in his new deal

(AP)

Barcelona has signed Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano to a contract extension that will keep the player at the club through 2018.

Barcelona says in a statement that its agreement with the 30-year old former Liverpool and Corinthians player will retain his buyout clause fixed at 100 million euros ($136 million).

Mascherano joined Barcelona from Liverpool in 2010 and under former coach Pep Guardiola moved from his natural midfield role — which he maintains with the Argentina squad — to central defense.

Argentina's midfield lineup for the World Cup includes Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid, Ever Banega of Newell's Old Boys and Jose Sosa of Atletico Madrid alongside Mascherano.

AP