BARCELONA (AFP) - Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes will not renew his contract when it expires June 30 next year, his agent said Friday.

Valdes' representatives told the club of the decision in a meeting Thursday, his agent Gines Carvajal said in a statement sent to AFP and other media.

"The agents of Victor Valdes have informed Barcelona FC in a meeting... of the player's irrevocable decision not to renew his contract, thus avoiding entering into financial discussions," the statement said.

The 31-year-old keeper has been at Barcelona since 2002.

Valdes' Facebook page was flooded with more than 700 comments from fans, some angry at the timing of the mid-season announcement, others pleading with him to stay, asking why he wanted to go, or just wishing him the best.

Barcelona are currently 11 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, and a massive 18 points ahead of perennial rivals and defending champions Real Madrid.