TOTTI CLOSE TO £3M-A-YEAR CONTRACT

ROMA appear to have secured the long-term future of mercurial star Francesco Totti, with Giallorossi fans delighted at news that the Italian international is close to signing a four year contract.

Totti's agent, Franco Zavaglia, met with Roma officials on Wednesday to hammer out the final details of the contract - which should bind the player to the club until 2005.

Part of the agreement was that Totti would retain control of his own sponsorship deals and website, as well as get a wage of around £3 million, rising to near £5 for the final year.

The contract should be completed and signed in the coming days.