Eric Abidal: 'I never wanted to leave Barca'

Eric Abidal has insisted that he never thought about leaving Barcelona after signing a new deal with the club.

The French defender, whose previous contract was due to expire in the summer, will now be at the Nou Camp until the end of next season with the option of another two years.

"I always said that I'd like to stay and live here and enjoy the football," he told the club's official website.

"[Barcelona are] my second family. I see people at the club more than I see my own family!"

Abidal joined the Spanish giants from Lille in 2007.