Melo signs contract extension, commits to La Viola

Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo has pledged his immediate future to Fiorentina by signing a one-year contract extension which ties him to La Viola until the summer of 2013.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a summer exit from Florence, with Arsenal and Barcelona both rumoured to be showing an interest in the holding midfielder.

However, a statement on the club’s official website confirmed the deal:

“Fiorentina’s director of sport, Pantaleo Corvino, today met with the agent of La Viola central midfielder Felipe Melo in Milan.”

“On this occasion, details of an agreement for the extension of Melo’s contract until 2013 with a buyout clause were agreed.”

Melo moved to Italy a year ago, having previously played in Spain with Almeria, Racing Santander and Real Mallorca.