Javier Mascherano has agreed terms with FC Barcelona to extend his contract by two years until the end of June 2016.

The defensive midfielder, who can also operate as a centre-back, will sign his new deal in the coming weeks. The 28-year-old has appeared in 58 league games for the club since arriving from Liverpool FC in August 2010. In that time he has won one Liga title, the Copa del Rey, the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League, the 2011 UEFA Super Cup and, last December, the FIFA Club World Cup.

Capped 81 times by Argentina, and occasionally chosen to captain his country, Mascherano started his career with CA River Plate and represented SC Corinthians Paulista before arriving in England in 2006, briefly playing for West Ham United FC before settling at Liverpool.

Barcelona enter the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League in the group stage.