England's Soccer: Reina commits to Liverpool

Liverpool, England (Sports Network) - Liverpool signed goalkeeper Jose Reina to a long-term contract on Thursday that will keep the two parties united until 2012.
The 25-year-old arrived at Anfield from Villarreal in the summer of 2005 and has impressed boss Rafael Benitez right from the start with 30 shutouts in his first season.
"He's had two good years with us and because of his age we knew we had to sort out a long contract," Benitez said. "I'm really pleased that he has signed and I think it sends out a message to everyone that we are preparing our team for both the present and for the future."
Reina, called Pepe by his teammates, has made 104 overall appearances with the Reds, including 35 starts last season in the Premiership.
"Pepe's record at Liverpool is very good," said Benitez. "He's had a lot of clean sheets and you can see the confidence the defenders have in him. When he plays the defenders look very comfortable and that is so important. I've said before that he's the best goalkeeper in Spain but he's also one of the best in the world. In this country there are a couple of goalkeepers at the very top level and he is one of them."
Reina, who was born in Madrid, started his career with Barcelona. He was called up to the national team for the first time in 2005, before being called up by Spain for the 2006 World Cup.
Liverpool, which also just signed Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to new deals this week, finished in third place of the Premiership with 68 points.