Madrid, Jan 13 (IANS): Spanish football club Valencia has announced it had extended the contract of coach Nuno Espiritu Santo until the end of June 2018.

Espiritu Santo's new contract Monday comes as a reward for his first five months in charge which has seen him take the club to fifth place in the Primera Liga after last week ending Real Madrid's run of 22 straight wins, reports Xinhua.

The Portuguese coach was signed from Rio Ave over the summer and had originally agreed a one-year deal with the club, which was due to end at the end of June.

"I am very happy and aware of the responsibility that we have at the club and I am honored to coach Valencia. It was not hard at all for me to decide to accept the new contract," said Espiritu Santo.

"It was a normal conversation and the fact we have agreed three years is what is good for all of us. We had spoken of a project, of the work and the way we want the team to grow and it was a common desire for all of us as three years allows you to have continuity," he told the Valencia website.