Valencia's Spanish defender Jose Gaya Pena reacts during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final football match between Real Betis and Valencia CF at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, on April 23, 2022. (JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)

MADRID - Valencia on Wednesday announced that Spain international left-back and club captain Jose Luis Gaya has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until June 2027.

The deal should end interest from FC Barcelona, who had tried to sign Gaya in the summer

The deal should end interest from FC Barcelona, who had tried to sign Gaya in the summer.

It also puts an end to the trend of key players leaving the club, such as Carlos Soler, who joined Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

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Valencia's squad has been badly depleted in recent seasons, with other key players such as Rodrigo Moreno, Dani Parejo, Goncalo

Guedes and Geoffrey Kondogbia all opting to move, severely weakening a squad that habitually challenged for a top-six place in La Liga.

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Gaya, 27, progressed through the club's youth system and made his debut for Valencia in October 2012. He has played 18 times for Spain's national team and will almost certainly form part of La Roja's squad for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.