Viduka agrees new deal

Leeds striker Mark Viduka has signed an improved new five-year contract with the Elland Road outfit, according to the club's …

Leeds striker Mark Viduka has signed an improved new five-year contract with the Elland Road outfit, according to the club's official website.

The Australian striker has been linked with a move abroad but ended speculation about his future by putting pen to paper.

Talks with the 25-year-old's advisors have resulted in the club's top scorer of last season with 22 goals agreeing to the new contract.

Viduka's form in the Champions League had Europe's top clubs watching the international, with Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Lazio all linked with a move for the front man.

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But in the absence of bids from abroad Viduka has agreed new terms to keep him at the Premiership club until 2006.

Club Chairman Peter Ridsdale spent the day discussing the finer details of the contract with Viduka's solicitor Rudi Horvat.

Ridsdale told www.lufc.com: "Mark has agreed to a new five-year contract and that is great news for Leeds.

"There was always going to be interest from the Continent given his performances for us last season.

"Inevitably that makes people look at what the other options are, but we always felt that Mark was happy with the environment we've created for him here.

"He feels comfortable with that and as long as we were seen to be treating him fairly he is happy to stay.

"He will put pen to paper on the contract next week, but I have spoken to him personally and he has assured me the deal is done and he is happy for me to make that public." -PA