Luis Muriel extends Udinese contract

Luis Muriel has signed a contract extension with Udinese that will keep him with the Italian outfit until at least 2018.

The 22-year-old, who moved to the club in 2010, scored 11 goals in 22 games last season, leading to suggestions that a number of European teams were preparing a move for his services.

"We have extended Muriel's contract to secure the player, to reward him and to encourage him to continue on this path," Udinese's sports director Cristiano Giaretta told reporters at a press conference.

"He is already in a great club and he has yet to show all his qualities if he wants to play in one of the 10 most important teams in the world."

Muriel has scored twice in Serie A this season.