Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta was presented as Vissel Kobe player.
Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has penned a new two-year deal with Al-Sadd to extend his stay in Qatar until at least 2020.
Xavi, 38, is currently in his third season at the club after signing from Barca on a free transfer in 2015.
By the time his latest deal expires he will be 40, by which point he hopes to have completed his coaching badges.
“I am happy to keep on being a part of the Al-Sadd family for two more years,” Xavi told the club’s official website.
“I am delighted to be at the club and with its fans. Everyone here is one big family and I am satisfied and thrilled to continue.”
Since moving to Qatar, Xavi has helped Al-Sadd win the Qatar Cup, the Emir Cup and the Sheikh Jassim Cup.
This season he has played a prominent role in helping them reach the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League, too, where they will face Esteghlal of Iran after the summer break.
In total, Barca’s all-time record appearance maker has played 86 times for Al-Sadd, scoring 19 goals. Xavi has never hidden his desire to return to Camp Nou in a coaching capacity one day, though, and recently took a course at Spain’s Royal Football Federation [RFEF] headquarters alongside Victor Valdes, Xabi Alonso, Raul Gonzalez and others.
Last week he was back in Barcelona to say goodbye to former midfield teammate Andres Iniesta, who left the Catalan club after 22 years to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
Samuel Marsden covers Barcelona for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @SamuelMarsden.
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