Leeds United midfielder Olivier Dacourt has agreed a new improved five-year contract, the premier league club said today. The deal was announced by chairman Peter Ridsdale, who also said he expected Australian striker Mark Viduka to put pen to paper on a new deal in the next few days.
Dacourt joined Leeds last year from Lens for £7million and initially signed on for five years. However, recent press reports have linked the Frenchman and team-mate Viduka with a move to Italy's Inter Milan.
"We were never in any doubt that Olly would stay and now he has agreed, with the extra extension, he is here for five more years - which we are delighted about," Ridsdale told the club's website.
"All the speculation is nonsense. We've been saying that all summer... given that he and every other player are under contract, I was never in any doubt about players leaving. As far as Mark Viduka goes, we are meeting his accountant next week, who wouldn't be wasting his air fare to tell us he's not staying. I've spoken to Mark again this week and I would expect Mark to similarly conclude the deal by the end of next week."
Ridsdale denied any contact from Manchester City regarding the availability of left winger Jason Wilcox.
"The speculation about Jason Wilcox and Manchester City probably fits in the same category as the story about Inter Milan," Ridsdale said. "The thing they have in common is that no one has spoken to me about it."
But he added: "Speculation only happens when you've got quality players and we have a fantastic squad, so it's inevitable. But we know we have a squad who are very happy at Elland Road."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
