United extend Stam's contract

Jaap Stam has become the latest Manchester United player to be rewarded with a new contract after he agreed a one-year extension…

Jaap Stam has become the latest Manchester United player to be rewarded with a new contract after he agreed a one-year extension to his current deal.

Stam's new agreement until 2006 is expected to double his salary at Old Trafford.

The defender’s agent Ton van Dalen claims the Dutch international is delighted with the new terms.

Stam, 28, is delighted the club have rewarded him with a new deal and the centre-half hopes to see out his playing days with the Reds.

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"I'm delighted to have signed a new contract with United," he said.

"I've had a fantastic time at the club in my first three seasons, achieving considerable success in the process.

"I look forward to enjoying even more in the coming years at Old Trafford, where I will probably now end my career."

Stam has been proved to be worth every penny of the then world record fee for a defender of stg£10.75million paid to PSV Eindhoven for his services in the summer of 1998.

The Dutch international has been outstanding recently following his return from an Achilles operation and United will be pleased with this successful outcome to the latest round in their on-going negotiations with their top players.

Andy Cole signed a four-year contract at the start of the month, which also doubled his salary, and United will now turn their attentions to the next three players on their list - David Beckham, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs.

Preliminary talks have already started with Giggs, although the Welshman does not expect everything to be agreed before the end of the season. -PA-