26 June 2007, by Sean Gillen

Fernando Couto extends career with one-year Parma deal

Portuguese veteran rewarded for impressive season

Veteran Portuguese defender Fernando Couto has agreed a new one-year contract with Serie A side Parma.

The former Portugal international, who turns 38 in August, played a crucial role in helping the Gialloblu avoid relegation last season after Claudio Ranieri took charge at the Ennio Tardini.

Despite his good form, it was expected that Couto would hang up his boots this summer, but the former Porto man will play one more season with Parma, before taking up a directors role at the club next summer.

It has been 14 years since Couto left Portugal and Porto, 12 of which have been spent in Italian football with Parma and Lazio, while the uncompromising defender also enjoyed a two-year spell with Barcelona in Spain in the late 90s.

Couto, who has represented his country 110 times, made 23 appearances last season, scoring one goal as Parma escaped relegation by three points after a strong finish.