Juventus M Nedved signs extension

May 13, 2008 - 6:23 PM MILAN, Italy (Ticker) -- Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved has signed a one-year contract extension, the Serie A powerhouse announced Tuesday.

Nedved, 35, agreed to the extension after meeting with Juventus managing director Jean-Claude Blanc. The deal runs through June 30, 2009.

A native of the Czech Republic, Nedved signed a $63.5 million contract with Juventus in 2001. The Serie A Footballer of the Year in 2003, he has appeared in a total of 282 games with the Italian club, scoring 58 goals.

"Behind my decision is the awareness of having lived seven extraordinary years and the desire to once again live the European experience with the team I feel strongly connected to," Nedved said.

"I wish to thank our supporters for the warmth they greeted me with, my teammates for the esteem they expressed for me in the last few days and the club which has chosen to continue to entrust me with an important role."

Nedved helped lead Juventus to the 2003 Champions League final against AC Milan. But he was forced to miss the contest due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Following Juventus' 2006 relegation due to the Serie A match-fixing scandal, speculation swirled regarding Nedved's long-term status with the club.

But Nedved evidently wants to spend at least one more year with "Juve."

"The extension to Nedved's contract is the best way to start our campaign to strengthen the team before the next season," Blanc said. "Pavel has written pivotal pages in the history of Juventus and will continue to provide the team with character and quality.

"His experience, class and determination are a certainty for his teammates, manager and supporters."

Juventus currently is third in the Serie A standings with 71 points, 11 behind first-place Inter Milan and 10 shy of second-place AS Roma. Juventus closes its league schedule Saturday at Sampdoria.