Fernando Couto will spend another season with Parma after agreeing a new contract.

The veteran defender is in his second spell with Parma, having rejoined the club from Lazio in 2005.

He made 23 appearances in Serie A last season as former coach Claudio Ranieri masterminded the club's escape from the relegation zone.

Couto's presence remains a vital tool in Parma's squad, despite the fact that the former Portugal international will celebrate his 38th birthday in August.

The centre-half has signed a new one-year contract which will take him through to a fifth season in Parma colours over two stints.

I've had a love-hate relationship with this guy over the years. Capable of the most calamitous of defending on the odd occasion, and other times absolutely brilliant...good to see the old man still playing at the top level though

One of the dirtiest defenders of the 90s, can't believe he's still playing

Hence his long and fruitful career in Serie A! Think he was more cynical than dirty though

Wow didn't know he was still playing! Good on him.

No he was dirty, I remember watching him a couple of times where he just kicked players in their backs whenever he went up for a header

Yeah i used to watch Serie A in the 90s when it was on normal TV, and Couto is one of my main memories, dirty b'stard

He was cynically dirty
Admire him for still playing, but his international career went on a bit longer than it should have because we had no one else

What is cynically dirty? He was a very dirty player, end of

Magix I am clearly messing about by using a nonsense phrase...thought the laugh emoticon made that obvious! Bloody hell...!

Has he still got the same hair?

With you I don't know what to expect

And I know exactly what to expect from you

Don't think so, he's got some girl's hairdo or something with a headband...LOL

He used to be very good at what he did. Now he is the same but in worse physical condition.

one more year and then will move on to a administration job with the club