42-year-old Montpellier skipper Hilton extends contract until 2021

Vitorino Hilton is set to play top-flight football beyond his 43rd birthday after extending his contract with Montpellier, the club announced Friday.

The Brazilian was teammates with Olivier Giroud and Remy Cabella when the club captured the 2011-12 Ligue 1 title.

"This is the most beautiful contract because I think it will be my last," he said, as translated by Reuters.

He added: "I had a dream of playing until I was 40 years old and to have the opportunity to keep playing at 43 is exceptional for me."

Hilton captained Montpellier in all of their 28 league matches before France's 2019-20 campaign was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. He also scored during the club's route to the Coupe de France round of 16.

The center-back is sixth in Montpellier's all-time appearance list with 321 outings. His professional career began when he was spotted by Chapecoense at the age of 17, and he also spent time with Parana Clube in Brazil before moving to Europe to play for Swiss side Servette, and Bastia, Lens, Marseille, and Montpellier in France.