Viduka agrees new five-year Leeds contract
( 2001-07-06 10:27 ) (7 )

Australian striker Mark Viduka has agreed a new five-year contract with Leeds United, the English premier league club said on Thursday.

Viduka will be contracted to Leeds until 2006, the club's official website reported.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale said although Viduka would not sign the new contract until next week, he had given him his word on the deal.

Viduka scored 22 goals last season and his performances in the European Champions League helped Leeds reach the semifinals.

British newspapers have reported that Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan were interested in signing the 25-year-old.

"There was always going to be interest from the continent given his performances last season," Ridsdale told the website. "But we always felt that Mark was happy here. As long as we were seen to be treating him fairly, he was 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."

Leeds defender Ian Harte also signed a new five-year contract with the Elland Road club on Thursday.