THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MILAN, Italy — Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio signed a five-year contract Thursday to stay at the club through 2014.
The 23-year-old Marchisio is one of a number of young players who have forced their way into Claudio Ranieri’s team this season. He scored his first goal last Saturday — the winner at home to Fiorentina — that briefly put Juventus top of the standings.
"I am very happy with the agreement we’ve reached," Marchisio said on the team’s website. "With this signing, I can continue my career at a glorious and prestigious club that I consider a family. It has been nearly 14 years that I’ve worn the white and black shirt and I hope to continue winning like I was used to in the juniors."
Ranieri has been true to his word of giving younger players a chance, with Cristian Molinaro, Paolo De Ceglie and Sebastien Giovinco now established members of Juventus’ squad.
"Claudio is an important element in our scheme to reinforce our squad. He is a very experienced player, even though he has only turned 23," Juventus sporting director Alessio Secco said. "He is a product of our youth scheme and this underlines the club’s undertaking that you can bet on young players of a high quality."