Couto pens new Lazio deal

Lazio have agreed a new one-year contract with veteran defender Fernando Couto.

The Portugal international was a free agent after his previous deal expired and there had been speculation he would leave the Rome club.

However, following talks with Lazio supremo Claudio Lotito, the 35-year-old has concurred on terms to keep him in the Italian capital for a further season.

"I had always maintained that I wouldn't consider joining another club until I had spoken to Lazio," Couto declared.

"I met with new president Claudio Lotito and we reached an agreement which has made me very happy.

"I really wanted to stay here and now I'm just focused on our first game which is against Milan in the Super Cup on Saturday."

Couto joined Lazio in the summer of 1998 from Spanish giants Barcelona.