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Atletico Madrid captain Gabi set to sign contract extension

Atletico Madrid captain Gabi is set to sign a new contract and hopes to win the Champions League after losing two finals with Los Rojiblancos.

Gabi, 33, has spent a large part of his senior career with Atletico after progressing from the club's youth team and skippered the side to the 2013 Copa del Rey, 2014 La Liga title and two Champions League finals.

His current deal ends next summer but club president Enrique Cerezo said on radio show El Larguero that an extension is likely to be signed soon.

"There is an agreement reached for Gabi to stay at Atletico Madrid," Cerezo said.

Tough tackling midfielder Gabi was also present at the show recorded live inside the Calderon, marking the stadium's 50th birthday, and confirmed that he was happy to prolong his association with the club.

"We have an agreement, it's always been very easy when we've spoken," he said. "As long as I can perform at the level which Atletico demands I will be here."

After last May's Champions League final defeat in Milan, Simeone said he was considering his future, and has since shortened his contract with the club which now only runs until 2018.

Gabi said the current Atletico team had just a couple of years left to lift the trophy before a break up would likely happen.

"The Champions League has become very important for us," he said. "We know that cycles come to an end. We have two or three years to win it.

"I thought the same as Simeone [after the final]. The moment comes and you doubt if you are able to keep driving the team along this path to victory. You have to think about it.

"Losing two finals hurts and it was emotionally destroying. I spoke with him a few days later and just asked him that if he took a decision that the players would be the first to know. But he left me relaxed about things.

"It is about the cycle -- many players have stayed -- [Diego] Godin, [Antoine] Griezmann, Koke. These are players who permit you to fight for trophies."