Barcelona renews deal of young starlet Rafinha

 　　MADRID, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona on Thursday announced that the club has reached an agreement to assure the future of young striker " "Rafinha" Rafa Alcantara until the end of June, 2015.

　　The 18-year-old Rafinha is the younger brother of Barcelona's Spain under-21 international Thiago Alcantara and he currently plays in the second division with Barcelona's B-team, although he made his first team debut¹ in last week's 1-0 win away to Hospitalet in the Copa del Rey.

　　The son of former Brazil international, Mazinho, Rafinha's performances this season had provoked rumors² of interest from Real Madrid and English side, Chelsea and Barcelona have acted quickly to ensure that one of the most promising³ players from their youth system does not abandon the club.

　　Rafinha plays in deep lying striker role, he is fast, able to beat a defender⁴ in a one-on-one and has an excellent goal scoring record with six goals in 20 appearances for the B-team. He has also represented Spain at U-16, 17 and 19 levels.

1 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

2 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

4 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。