Monaco sign permanent deal with Fabinho

Fabinho joined the principality club in 2013 from Portuguese club Rio Ave

Paris, May 20 (IANS) Ligue 1 members Monaco on Tuesday signed a permanent contract with right-back Fabinho to keep the Brazilian till 2019, said a media report on Wednesday. The 21-year-old joined the Principality club in 2013 from Portuguese club Rio Ave after failing to seal a deal with La Liga giants Real Madrid, Xinhua reported.

Fabinho made 35 appearances in Ligue 1 this season and signed a four-year contract with Monaco despite reported interest from Barcelona. Earlier this month, the young sensation received his first call-up to the Brazil national team for this summer's Copa America.

"I am very happy to sign a contract with AS Monaco, I have had two good seasons here," Fabinho told the club's website after signing. "We were second in the league last year, we are third now and we hope to confirm third place and I hope to achieve good things with AS Monaco," he added.

The club's vice-president Vadim Vasilyev commented: "Fabinho has shown all his talent since his arrival and we are happy to sign him definitively." "His versatility, his youth and his attitude mark him out as a player with a big future. It is also a source of pride to see him make it into the Brazilian squad," said Vasilyev.

On the same day, Monaco announced that 19-year-old defender Almamy Toure also signed a contract to keep him at the club for an additional four years.