Pato signs new Milan deal

26 September 2009 13:22
AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato has signed a new five-year contract, vice-president Adriano Galliani has confirmed. While financial details of the new contract were not revealed, it is believed to be an improved deal to keep the youngster out of the clutches of other European giants, with Chelsea strongly linked with a summer swoop. The Brazilian sensation was the Italian giants' top-scorer last season and the 20-year-old is seen as a huge part of the club's future, despite being in and out of the side this term. Milan have suffered a poor start to the Serie A season, picking up just seven points from their opening five games as they currently lie in the bottom half of the table. The sale of star player Kaka to Real Madrid this summer has taken an early toll on the club's fortunes, but Galliani is pleased to have secured Kaka's compatriot Pato for the long term. "I'm happy to announce Pato renewed his deal with us for the next five years", Galliani told Milan Channel, the club's official television station. Milan sit just one point ahead of Bari and host the Biancorossi at the San Siro on Sunday hoping to propel themselves into the top-half of the Serie A table with City rivals Inter the early front-runners.

Source: SKY_Sports