The 33-year-old center back had openly declared a desire to leave the Mestalla earlier in the month after a disagreement over his contract.

But Ayala was able to smooth out differences with Valencia's management after the club announced they would re-open negations on his contract during the season.

"Ayala will remain fully committed to this club until at least June 2007 (the end of his current contract)," Valencia said in a statement on their website last Thursday.

Despite all of the comments he's made, Ayala remains confident he will be able to earn the trust of his team.

"I am not worried by my quotes in the last few weeks," Ayala was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"I want to win the coach's confidence to play. We have had a lot of time to assess the situation but I would never abscond."

Ayala, who joined Valencia in 2000, helped the La Liga team reach the Champions League final in 2001, win the Spanish league title in 2002 and both the league and

UEFA Cup in 2004.

While he was supposedly courted by Villarreal and Read Madrid, the defender has chosen to stay with the team of his previous success.

"I took my time to decide whether to stay in Valencia or not," the Argentine international said.

"Now I am 100 percent committed to Valencia because I am a total professional."