Cleber Santana (esporteonline)

La Liga Football News - Cleber Santana, the Brazilian midfielder, has completed an impressive turnaround with Atletico Madrid after being handed a new contract only months after being told he was surplus to requirements.

Santana put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at the Vicente Calderon until June 2012 after his previous contract was due to run out at the end of the current campaign.

New coach Quique Sanchez Flores has been impressed with Cleber and the Brazilian has maintained his regular place in the team that Abel Resino also gave him.

After joining the club in 2007 from Santos, the 28-year-old struggled to adapt and looked set to leave Atletico without ever having shown what he is capable of.

A loan spell at Real Mallorca was lined up and he appeared set to be sold during the summer in order to help finance a move for a new midfielder.

Cleber impressed with the Balearic side and Resino asked the club if he could stay, despite their desire to off-load him, and he has taken his chance this term with some solid performances.