Marc-Andre ter Stegen reveals why he signed new Barcelona contract

Marc-Andre ter Stegen says the belief that Barcelona can continue winning titles was a key reason behind his signing of a new contract.

The 31-year-old extended his Barcelona contract until 2028 on Friday having already been at the Catalan giants for eight years.

He has made 379 appearances for Barca across all competitions, leaving him fourth on the all-time list of goalkeepers, and won the Zamora Trophy last season after keeping 26 clean sheets en route to conceding just 18 goals.

Ter Stegen is part of Barcelona's leadership group, serving as the club's second captain under Sergi Roberto, and he revealed to the club's media channels that the opportunity to win more titles and influence further success at the club was a key driver in his decision to stay put.

“I am very happy. It’s five more years, with great enthusiasm and we hope that they will be full of happiness and many titles,” Ter Stegen said of his renewal. “I am convinced that we can reach the end of the season with good feelings and with possibilities of winning titles.

"I’m trying to help Sergi and the other captains. We form a very familiar group in every way and at the end of the year we hope to be in the best position to win titles. This is what I want to show, that I’m always there for my team-mates and for the club.

"There is always room for improvement and this is my main goal since I started. I'm very happy to be able to win these individual trophies, which makes me realise that I'm on the right path."

Barcelona's aims this season include trying to defend the La Liga title they won at a canter last season, as well as making a splash in the Champions League. The Catalan giants were dumped out of last season's competition at the group stage, with their subsequent drop into the Europa League also not going to plan.

They were drawn against Manchester United, who had come second behind Real Sociedad in their group, to earn a place in the last 16 of the competition, but lost their knockout play-off round tie 4-3 on aggregate despite taking the lead at Old Trafford in the return fixture.

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