AC Milan's Ignazio Abate extends contract with the Serie A club until 2019
Italy international Ignazio Abate has signed a new four-year contract at AC Milan, the Serie A giants announced on Thursday.
The 28-year-old right-back, whose previous deal was set to expire at the end of this month, has committed himself to the San Siro outfit until 2019, ending speculation over his future amid reported interest from other clubs at home and abroad. A statement from AC Milan read: "AC Milan announces that Ignazio Abate has extended his contract with AC Milan until June 30, 2019."
Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus were among the clubs linked with Abate, who is willing to remain at Milan despite their failure to qualify for European competition for a second straight season. Milan finished a disappointing 10th in Serie A in the 2014-15 campaign. Abate, a youth product of Milan, has been capped 22 times by Italy and joined the Rossoneri's first team in 2003. He spent five years on loan at other Italian clubs, including Napoli and Torino, before returning to the Rossoneri in the summer of 2009.
Abate, who was a member of Italy's World Cup squad last year, made 23 league appearances for Milan this season.
