Buenos Aires, Argentina: Playmaking midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme has finally signed a four-year contract with Boca Juniors. The new contract was announced on Tuesday, but it took Riquelme until Thursday to sign.
The 32-year-old Riquelme's penchant for attracting controversy affected the deal.
Word leaked out as the contract was offered that the Boca board of directors was split evenly over offering Riquelme a new deal. The tie was broken by Boca president Jorge Ameal. Ameal confirmed Riquelme will receive $5 million over the four-year contract and a portion of the proceeds from a farewell match if he elects to retire.
"It would have been ideal if this has been worked out in the first meeting." Riquelme said on Thursday. "Some negotiations take less time, some take more. The important thing is I will be a Boca player for four more years and I hope we can win many things."
Riquelme said he had offers from other clubs including Racing, Independiente and Estudiantes.
"I've never played in this country for a team other than Boca," he added.
Riquelme said he would return to the playing field when he feels fully recovered from left knee surgery in the off-season. He offered no timeframe.
Riquelme was asked about returning to play for the national team. He was dropped from the squad by Diego Maradona, with whom he had a personal falling out.
"Right now, I have to think about feeling better," he said. "I still haven't played for Boca and I can't think about the national team."
However, he acknowledged he has a "very good" relationship with interim national coach Sergio Batista.
Boca is at home on Saturday against Racing Club.
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