Football legend Xavi extends Qatar contract by one year

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has agreed to extend his contract with Qatar's al-Sadd by one year, the football club announced in a statement on its website on Thursday.

"Al-Sadd Club is pleased to announce that Spanish midfielder and team captain Xavi Hernandez has extended his contract to until the end of the 2017-18 season," the statement read.

"Xavi had earlier joined the team at the start of the 2015-16 season after signing a two-year contract. With this extension, he is now set to complete three years at the club."

Xavi, who celebrated his 37th birthday on 25 January, is now set to play for al-Sadd until the end of the 2017-18 season.

Speaking to the club's website after the contract extension was announced, Xavi said he was "delighted" and described al-Sadd as his "beautiful family".

"This is a special day for me and I wish to thank al-Sadd Club for their confidence in me. I promise everyone that I will perform at the level expected of me," he said.

Xavi originally signed for the Doha-based club from the Catalans in June 2015 and was unveiled just days after Barcelona’s victory against Juventus in the Champions League final.

Despite some criticism of Xavi for moving to Qatar because of corruption and human rights' controversies surrounding the country's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup, the player has revelled in the Middle East.

He has become an official ambassador for the 2022 tournament and, according to media reports at the time, his initial contract was said to be worth around 10 million euros a year.