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LONDON. — Edinson Cavani has signed a contract extension at Manchester United that keeps the Uruguay striker at the club until June 2022. 

The 34-year-old has had an outstanding finish to the season, scoring eight goals in seven games. 

Cavani said: “I have developed a great affection for the club and everything that it represents. 

“I feel a deep bond with my team-mates and the staff who work behind the scenes.” 

Cavani, who was undecided over whether to stay for a second year, added: “They give me extra motivation every day and I know that together we can achieve special things.”

Since joining on a free transfer in October 2020, Cavani has scored 15 goals in all competitions — his latest coming in Sunday’s 3-1 Premier League win at Aston Villa.

He has been one of the leading strikers in European football for the past decade, scoring a record 200 goals in 301 appearances for Paris St-Germain after joining from Napoli, where he made his name. 

Cavani left the French club in June 2020 following a disagreement with Brazil forward Neymar. 

Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he always wanted Cavani to stay for a second season.

“I said when Edinson signed that he would bring energy, power and leadership to this group and I haven’t been proved wrong, he has been everything I thought he would be and more,” said the Norwegian.

“As coaches we knew about his goalscoring record, however, it is his personality that has brought so much to this squad, he has a winning mentality and has an unequivocal attitude to everything he does. 

“Edinson is one of the last to leave the training ground and sets the tone for the upcoming youngsters with his approach to his profession every single day. 

“I have always wanted him to stay and experience the way our fans will respond to him as a player, and this means he will hopefully get that opportunity.” 

Meanwhile, Portugal is a strong candidate to host the Champions League final after Uefa did not gain guarantees of exemptions it wants to move the game to Wembley. 

UEFA, UK government officials and the Football Association met yesterday to discuss moving the game between Chelsea and Manchester City from Istanbul. 

UEFA have decided it will be moved after Turkey was put on England’s red travel list meaning fans cannot travel. 

Portugal is on the green list so fans would be allowed to attend on 29 May. 

The match could still be played at Wembley but it would require a major shift from the government, who have so far failed to reach an agreement with UEFA. — BBC Sport.