DJALMINHA SIGNS NEW DEPOR DEAL

The 30-year-old winger, who was influential last year as his club secured their first ever league title, has signed a
contract which will run until 2005.

Tying up the international star to the club became one of the main priorities of chairman, Augusto Caesar Lendoiro, which became even more urgent following the star's goal last week to settle the derby match against Vigo.

Although the pair have had a verbal agreement since August, fans of the club, who are currently still in the Champions league and second in La Liga, will be delighted that pen has finally been put to paper.

The initial contract, which was to end in 2002, will remain in some capacity, and then a new extension will become active.

One of the changes the new extension will bring is the clause of recession, which will halve after 2002, although the mere fact that he signed a new contract will put off Barcelona who wanted to sign the Djalminha.

Until June 2002, the samba star's buy out clause will be $100 million (£70.49 million), after that the same clause reduces to $55 million (£38.77 million).

The chairman was also delighted that the deal has finally been signed. He already feels that Djalminha's heart is at the club, and his adaptation into both the team, and the city, along with his willingness to sign the new deal, all go to highlight this.

Djalminha, on the other hand, also sees the new contract as a further demonstration that he has no wish to retire just yet. "I am not thinking about retiring yet, maybe I will follow in the tracks of Donato."

The winger, who has been at the club since 1997, also passed off comments about his possible nationalisation in Spain, simply by saying: "It would be something good for everyone."

The player now hopes to concentrate on his game once more, as his side travel to Barcelona to face Espanyol this weekend.

His main aim is clear, he would like to add more trophies to the cabinet at the Spanish club. "It's very difficult, but not impossible."