MADRID, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid on Friday announced the club had extended the contract of central defender Kepler Lavarin Lima Ferreira, 'Pepe', until the end of June 2017.
The decision means that the 32-year-old, who joined the club from Porto in the summer of 2007, will end his career after spending 10 seasons at the club.
Pepe's new contract means that the club has assured the future of its two first-choice central defenders as Sergio Ramos penned a new deal until the summer of 2020 last week.
The pair will once again be first choice for new Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez, while highly-rated French international Rafael Varene will wait for his opportunity along with former youth team player Nacho Fernandez.
The news comes just two days before Real Madrid kicks off the 2015-16 BBVA Primera Liga season away to recently promoted Sporting Gijon in what will be Benitez's league debut as coach.