MADRID (AFP) - Pep Guardiola on Thursday signed a two-year contract to coach Barcelona, the Spanish giants announced.

The 37-year-old Guardiola is a former Barca captain making over 250 appearances for the club between 1990 and 2001, and winning six league titles and the 1992 Champions League in the process.

His managerial experience is limited but Barca unveiled him last month as the successor to Frank Rikjaard, the Dutchman having spent five seasons at Camp Nou, the last two of which were without silverware.

Guardiola inherits a talented team including youngsters such as Lionel Messi and Bojan Krkic but there are sure to be summer exits as Guardiola looks to stamp his mark on the team.