KELLY SET FOR NEW DEAL
GARY KELLY is set to sign a new five-year deal at Leeds United, making him one of the highest-paid players at the club.
It is believed that he will put pen to paper on a contract, which could earn him up to £1.2 million a year from a £20,000-a-week deal, which will allow for bonuses and incentives.
The Republic of Ireland international, who is currently Leeds` longest-serving player, will also have a clause in the contract granting him a testimonial at the end of the 2001-02 season.
The Drogheda-born right back missed much of last season with shin splints, but has returned to help Leeds to the top of the Premiership and fought off the challenge of summer signing Danny Mills.
Kelly, who had been linked to Middlesbrough at the start of the season, was recently made captain in Lucas Radebe`s absence when the South African was on African Cup of Nations duty.
"I`m thrilled that this deal has been agreed between the club and my advisers," he said. "I want to spend the rest of my career at Leeds and I`ve never hesitated to tell David O`Leary that.
Kelly has consistently been one of Leeds` best performers over the past eight years after succeeding Mel Sterland and was recently labelled by Eire boss Mick McCarthy as the "best right back in the Premiership," before gaining his 31st Ireland cap.
Club secretary Ian Silvester confirmed the news on Leeds` official webiste, saying: " I am preparing a new contract for Gary as we speak and I expect him to sign it on Friday lunchtime."
Young midfielder Stephen McPhail, as reported earlier this month on planetfootball.com, is also set to sign a new version of the five-year contract that he signed last year which will include a handsome wage rise reflecting his emergence as a first-team regular.
This prompted manager David O`Leary to say on Friday: "The future looks rosy."
