Madrid, Sep 19 (IANS) Spanish football club Real Madrid announced they had extended the contract of central defender Rafael Varene until the summer of 2020.

The 21-year-old French international arrived at Real Madrid from Lens in the summer of 2011 for 10 million euros (around $12 million) and broke into the first team at the end of the 2011-12 campaign, helping Real Madrid to win the Spanish Primera Liga title, reports Xinhua.

He then performed consistently the following season becoming a first team regular towards the end of the year.

His progression was slowed down in 2013-14 by a recurring knee injury and the solid form of Sergio Ramos and Pepe in central defensive duties, but Varene was first choice for the French national side in this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Ramos and Pepe have started this season as Madrid's central defensive duo, but Varene stepped into the side for Tuesday's Champions League win over Basel and has so far made a total of 74 first team appearances, while being considered one of the players Real Madrid will look to build their team around in the future.