Nedved extends contract with Juventus

MILAN, Italy (AP) -- Veteran Czech international midfielder Pavel Nedved has signed a one-year contract extension with Juventus.

Juventus did not disclose financial details of the contract, which runs until June 30, 2009, although Gazzetta dello Sport said the midfielder would earn $4.6 million.

Media reports put his salary for the 2007-08 season at the same amount.

"My decision is based on the realization that I have lived seven extraordinary years here, and the desire to play in Europe again with a team I am deeply tied to," said Nedved.

Juventus, who will finish third in Serie A, will play in the Champions League next season after missing the last two editions because of their involvement in a match-fixing scandal.

"This is the best way to begin our acquisition campaign ahead of next season," Juventus chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc said.

Nedved, 35, had been tipped for a return to the Czech squad for Euro 2008 despite announcing his retirement from international football after the 2006 World Cup.

But he declined an offer from coach Karel Bruckner and was not included in his preliminary 23-strong squad for Austria and Switzerland which was announced on Wednesday.

Nedbed was European Footballer of the Year in 2003.

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