Barcelona has signed Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano to a contract extension that will keep the player at the club through 2018.

Barcelona says in a statement that its agreement with the 30-year old former Liverpool and Corinthians player will retain his buyout clause fixed at 100 million euros ($136 million).

Mascherano joined Barcelona from Liverpool in 2010 and under former coach Pep Guardiola moved from his natural midfield role — which he maintains with the Argentina squad — to central defense.

Argentina's midfield lineup for the World Cup includes Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid, Ever Banega of Newell's Old Boys and Jose Sosa of Atletico Madrid alongside Mascherano.