Barca gives contract extension to defender Bartra

Published Mar. 18, 2014 4:37 p.m. ET

foxsports

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Barcelona centerback Marc Bartra has signed a contract extension that ties him to the Spanish champions until 2017.

The 23-year-old Bartra has played sparingly this season - making 21 appearances - but will be needed going forward with veteran defender Carles Puyol set to leave the club at the end of the season.

Barcelona says the deal includes a buy-out clause of 25 million euros ($34.8 million).

Barcelona is third in the Spanish league, trailing leader Real Madrid by four points.