Lugano signs contract extension with Sao Paulo

Rio de Janeiro, June 27: Former Uruguay captain Diego Lugano has signed a deal to stay with Sao Paulo until the end of the year, the Brazilian football club said.

Lugano's contract was due to expire at the end of June but Sao Paulo offered a six-month extension amid an outpouring of support for the 36-year-old from his teammates and the club's fans, reports Xinhua news agency.

"We have reached an agreement. He will stay till December 31," Lugano's agent Juan Figer said.

"The club is in a difficult situation and Sao Paulo needs his leadership on and off the pitch."  

Lugano has played just 10 matches across all competitions this year, taking his tally to 35 appearances for Sao Paulo since returning for a second spell at the club last year.

The former Paris Saint-Germain centre-back was capped 95 times for Uruguay and captained the team at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.