Football United

AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko has ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract with the Rossoneri until 2009.

Scoring success
The 27-year-old Ukrainian international topped the Italian scoring charts with 24 goals in 2003/04, helping Milan to their 17th Scudetto. Shevchenko moved to the San Siro from FC Dynamo Kyiv in 1999. He justified his €26m fee by becoming the first foreigner to be crowned Serie A top scorer in his debut season with 24 goals. He claimed another 24 strikes the following term, and 14 in 2001/02.

Knee injury
In 2002/03 he suffered a knee injury, but recovered in time to hit the winning penalty in the UEFA Champions League final against Juventus FC. Shevchenko's previous contract was due to expire in 2006.

Transfer dealings
Since clinching the Italian title, Milan have also allowed defender Martin Laursen to join Aston Villa FC and released Fernando Redondo, replacing them with Dutch international Jaap Stam and Vikash Dhorasoo.

Source: Uefa.com