Barcelona ink Thiago to 2-year extension

Barcelona has signed promising midfielder Thiago Alcantara to a two-year contract extension that ties him to the Spanish champion until 2015.

Barcelona did not reveal terms of the deal, which sees the 20-year-old's buyout clause set at €90 million ($127 million).

Thiago scored an audacious 40-meter free kick in last weekend's 2-0 victory over Switzerland to clinch the European Under-21 Championship for Spain.

Thiago has been used sparingly by coach Pep Guardiola over the past two seasons but is expected to take on a more prominent role this season. Spanish media is questioning whether Thiago's rise could pose a problem to the European champion's decision to sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.