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Teenager Jose Gaya renews contract at Valencia through 2020

JOSE JORDAN / AFP / Getty

One of the most promising defenders in Spanish football is set to remain at the Mestalla Stadium for the long haul, as Valencia CF's 19-year-old left-back Jose Gaya put pen to paper on a five-year contract renewal Friday.

Valencia president Amadeo Salvao confirmed in mid-April that Gaya, whose previous contract was set to expire in 2018, wasn't going anywhere amid reported interest from Real Madrid.

"I'm very happy and proud to have signed with Valencia," said Gaya in an official statement. "It's what I wanted from the beginning and it's ended how the two sides wanted, as we've both won and realized another dream. It's an illusion for me to have made my debut with Valencia in the Primera Division and I'm NOW signing for five more years.

"I'd like to thank the club for making this renewal possible. The 25th of May is my birthday and there's no better gift. We now play Real Madrid which is always difficult, but we've got our guns and we're going to win."

Gaya has featured in 32 of Valencia's 35 La Liga fixtures this season, notching one goal and five assists. His ability to hold on to the ball, send key passes, and successfully tackle have drawn comparisons to fellow left-back Jordi Alba, who exited Valencia in 2012 to join Barcelona.

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