Barcelona have confirmed they have reached "an agreement in principle" with Carles Puyol to prolong his contract until 2013. The Barça captain, whose current deal was set to expire next summer, will sign the three-year extension in the next few days.

Puyol came through the ranks at the Catalan giants and has been a mainstay of the back four since making his debut in 1999.

FC Barcelona and Carles Puyol have reached an agreement in principle to renew the captain's contract until 2013.
A statement from Barcelona

A club statement read: "FC Barcelona and Carles Puyol have reached an agreement in principle to renew the captain's contract until 2013. Now the new conditions will be drawn up and will be signed in the next few days.

"The coach Pep Guardiola and the footballer himself made the news known to the rest of his team-mates just before the start of training this morning. The Barça squad, united in a circle, welcomed it with a resounding ovation and congratulated the captain for the agreement in principle."

Puyol has won ten trophies with Barcelona including two UEFA Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey, while he also helped Spain to lift the UEFA EURO 2008 trophy. The 31-year-old has made over 451 appearances for his club, putting him in fourth place on the all-time appearance chart.

Barcelona have been working hard to tie their treble winners to long-term deals. They have already improved the contracts of Lionel Messi, Victor Valdes and Xavi, while talks are ongoing with Andres Iniesta, Rafael Marquez and coach Guardiola.