UPDATE -  Krkic’s pockets just got a lot deeper after signing his new contract just 24 hours after his 18th birthday, one that will tie him to Barcelona until 2013.

Joining the elite crew of Puyol, Iniesta and Xavi as players that have risen through the youth ranks and into the bigtime stage, his buyout price tag just hit the 80 Million Euro mark.

Bojan’s loyalty not only remains with Barcelona, but the 18 year old also confirmed he’s a Spaniard at heart by pledging his loyalty to the champions of Europe, Spain.

“It was a great privilege to of been in the squad of the champions of Europe. What I want is to continue growing and learning and hopefully I will have the luck that one day I can debut with the national team.”

Almost Spain International and current rising star Bojan Krkic is set to be handed a new contract with FC Barcelona on August 28th, the day he turns 18 years old and becomes eligible for a senior contract.

After scoring 12 goals in all competitions last season and showing the form in which so many thought he had, Krkic is now set to put pen to paper on a five year deal that is believed to include an 80 Million Euro buyout clause.

image via Yimg

Luis Aragones has left Real Madrid striker Raul off the roster for the upcoming 2008 European Championships despite scoring 18 La Liga goals this season, opting instead to take uncapped Zaragoza forward Sergio Garcia. Raul has not played for Spain since 2006 but still leads the country with 44 Goals in 102 International Matches.

Bojan Krkic was left out of the squad as well after informing Aragones that he was suffering from fatigue after he debut season with Barcelona.

David Albelda was not included due to his troubles with La Liga club Valencia.

Spain has friendlies set with Peru May 31st and the United States on June 4th.

They will face Russia on June 10th to start their Euros campaign, Sweden on the 14th and Greece the 18th to end the group phase.

VIA BBC SPORT

Spain squad for European Championships:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Andres Palop (Sevilla).
Defenders: Raul Albiol (Valencia), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanito Gutierrez (Real Betis), Fernando Navarro (Mallorca), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool).
Midfielders: Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), David Silva (Valencia), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Ruben De La Red (Getafe), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal).
Forwards: Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia), Daniel Guiza (Mallorca), Sergio Garcia (Zaragoza)

Image via ABC

He might have a Serbian who played for Red Star Belgrade , but being born in Spain to a Catalan nurse and playing at Barcelona has gotten Bojan Krkic called up to Luis Aragones full squad for next week’s friendly against France. The call up also protects Spain from losing Krkic to Serbia, who have been long in contact with him about representing their country at the highest level even though Krkic represented Spain at the U-17 level.  He is the youngest player to feature in a Champions League game at 17 years, 22 days.