Arsenal transfer news: Former Barcelona academy product Jon Toral signs new contract after successful loan spell with Brentford

Toral has scored six goals in 34 appearances for Brentford this season and his contract was due to expire at the end of the season

Jon Toral has spent the 2014/15 season on loan with Brentford (Getty Images)

Arsenal have extended the contract of 20-year-old midfielder Jon Toral.

Toral has been on loan at Championship side Brentford this season, where he has made 34 appearances – 10 from the start – for Mark Warburton’s side and scored six goals.

The Arsenal contract which Toral signed in February 2012, on turning 17, was due to expire at the end of this season. Arsenal had an option to extend it for another year, and they have recently exercised that option.

In February, Toral told The Independent that he hoped he would persuade Arsenal to keep him with his performances out on loan.

Toral alongside Abou Diaby in an under-21s game last April (Getty Images)

“I am finishing a contract this season and Arsenal have a preferential option,” he said, in his first major British newspaper interview. “I work hard every day here at Brentford but my goal is that Arsenal give me a new contract for next season. I am working for it.”

Toral joined Arsenal from the Barcelona academy along with Hector Bellerin in 2011, but struggled with knee problems, requiring four operations, in his first few years at the club.