Soldado signs new deal

Valencia striker Roberto Soldado has signed a new contract with the club that will keep him at the Mestalla until the summer of 2017.

The 27-year-old scored 17 goals in La Liga last season as he helped guide Los Che to their third consecutive third-place finish, as well as netting seven goals in Europe as Valencia reached the Europa League semi-finals. This form led to a call-up to the Spanish squad, but after a poor end to the season, when he only scored once in the last ten games, he wasn't selected in Vicente del Bosque's Euro 2012 squad. However, the former Real Madrid man remains first choice at his club and as they enter the new season with a rookie manager in charge, they were quick to tie him to a new deal. Valencia president Manuel Llorente told the club's website: "Roberto's performance is fantastic as everyone has seen, his application, desire to do the best for Valencia and winning mentality is a key part of this Valencia side and a reference for the Valencia support."