Vasco extend deal with ex-Argentine midfielder

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 4 (IANS) Former Argentine international midfielder Pablo Guinazu ended speculation about his future by extending his contract with Brazilian football club Vasco da Gama.

The 36-year-old, who had been linked with a move to Paraguay's Cerro Porteno, will remain with the Rio de Janeiro outfit until at least 2017, reports Xinhua.

"We re-signed him because he is an important player and I wasn't going to let him go easily," Vasco president Eurico Miranda told Radio Tupi Saturday.

Guinazu, who joined Vasco from Paraguay's Libertad in 2013, helped steer the club back into Brazil's top flight last year after their relegation to the Serie B the previous season.

He has been capped 16 times for Argentina since his international debut in 2003.