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Fabregas, Cesc |
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Handanovic, Samir |
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Messi, Lionel |
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Baptista, Julio |
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Robben, Arjen |
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Walcott, Theo |
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Gourcuff, Yoann |
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Crespo, Hernan |
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Gallas, William |
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Higuain, Gonzalo |
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RCD Espanyol star Ivan De La Pena has finally put pen on a paper to extend the contract with Barcelona-based club until 2009.
31-year old midfielder was extremely influential in Espanyol's Uefa cup raid which ended in the final match against Sevilla. Former Barcelona prospect impressed with his tradermark pinpoint passes and assistances and also caught the eyes of many Spanish giants including Real Madrid and Valencia. Despite tempting offers De La Pena decided to stay at Espanyol until 2009, which is a major boost for the club that already captured Osasuna's midfielder Valdo and former Argentine international full-back Clemente Rodriguez on a one-year loan deal from Russian club Spartak Moscow.
De la Pena, who is also labelled as "Little Buddha", appeared in the 1995/96 campaign in Johan Cruyff's Barcelona, but later became one of the talismans of the club during Sir Bobby Robson's reign. After a long string of injuries he left for Lazio in 2000, but found it too hard to secure a spot in the first-team. After returning back to Spain in 2002, De la Pena has since played 140 matches for the Uefa cup vice-champions and helped the club win Copa del Rey in 2005.
