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English roundup Cole agrees to new deal at Man Utd, Leboeuf staying put
LONDON (Reuters) -- Striker Andy Cole has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United, the club said on Saturday. The 29-year-old England international, who joined the champions from Newcastle United for six million pounds ($8.84 million) in January 1995, is now tied to Old Trafford until July 2005. "I am delighted to have signed a new deal that effectively ensures I will play the rest of my career for Manchester United," Cole said. "As far as I am concerned I never wanted to play anywhere else. I am also glad that we have been able to come to an agreement that all sides are happy with. "I am relieved that all talk of contracts can now be put aside and I can concentrate on playing football. "Since I arrived, I have been fortunate enough to be part of some great Manchester United teams and have thoroughly enjoyed the trophies we have won. "But I honestly believe the squad we have now is the strongest I have been a part of and that was a very important part of my decision. "I could have considered waiting for my contract to run down, but when I looked at what we have going here ... I just couldn't see what anyone else would have to offer that could be better," he added. Cole will start the new phase of his career with a long spell off the pitch following his red card in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Sunderland. He now faces a three-match ban starting on February 10. A quirk of the fixture list and United's absence from the fifth round of the FA Cup means he is not liable to play again in the league until March 31 when United visit Liverpool. Last week fellow striker Teddy Sheringham signed a one-year extension to his contract.
Leboeuf happy to stay at ChelseaLONDON (Reuters) -- French World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf says he is happy to stay at Chelsea following the collapse of his proposed move to AS Monaco. The on-off deal finally died on Wednesday, with Chelsea claiming the French club had been unable to find the necessary money. Writing in his column in The Times on Saturday, Leboeuf said he was "being torn all over the place" while the clubs negotiated. "There are many human and emotional sides to transfers that rarely get discussed," he said. "Chelsea never attempted to force me out but when Claudio Ranieri asked me if I wanted to go I thought it might be a good time to seek a fresh challenge at the age of 33. "I thought it might be nice to return to France with my medals and try to help Monaco win some trophies. "After many unsettled days and with Monaco messing me and Chelsea around in an unacceptable way, I found myself staying at Stamford Bridge, which is far from the embarrassing outcome that some people would have you believe. "Indeed, far from making me feel isolated the past week has shown to me that I am surrounded by people who could not be more supportive. "I hope to be in the starting line-up against Leicester today and if I am I will be proud still to be wearing the Chelsea shirt."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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