Di Maria Staying at Real Madrid until 2018

Real Madrid has extended the contract of its Argentine winger Angel di Maria until 2018, the club said Thursday, sealing his place as it seeks to retain the Spanish league title.

"Angel di Maria has extended his contract with Real Madrid. (Coach) Jose Mourinho will have one of the key pieces of the Real Madrid attack available to him until at least the end of the 2017/18 season," it said in a statement.

Di Maria, 24, moved in 2010 from Portuguese side Benfica to Real, which is now preparing to host its fierce rivals Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on August 23.

"I'm very happy here and the extension of my contract gives me the possibility to continue with Real Madrid for many years in order to continue improving," the club quoted him as saying.