Dida renews contract with AC Milan

Milan:

Brazil goalkeeper Dida renewed his contract with AC Milan on Saturday. A statement posted on Milan's Web site said Dida's contract will now expire at the end of June 2010. "It took six months to reach this agreement and now it's finally done," Dida said. "I'm extremely happy, also because this extension comes on the eve of the derby. Now the focus will be entirely on the game." Milan faces city rival Inter Milan on Sunday. After the announcement, Dida was applauded by fans as he entered the field at Milan's training complex. "It was a surprise. (Milan vice president Adriano) Galliani was here at Milanello and he called me to talk," Dida said. "We reached an agreement midway between my request and the club's. There was some worry that it wouldn't happen but what's important is that now the deal is done." Dida is in his fifth season as starter at Milan.