SHEVA 2009!
26 May 2004 09:33

MILAN - AC Milan have announced the extension of Andriy Shevchenko's contract until June 30, 2009. (acmilan.com)

(Cover Story @ acmilan.com) The news is one that gives everyone a big lift. It is the confirmation that it is beautiful to stay at Milan. A club who have always nutured good times and a correct way of doing things.

Andriy Shevchenko has five seasons behind him with Milan, he has won a great deal, he has scored as many goals as Marco Van Basten and has renewed his contract for the third time since signing in the summer of 1999. It has always happened without forcing the issue, without hesitation, without tactics or stalling. It is the atmosphere you can breathe at Milan. The chemical reaction, the instinct and the feelings are worth more than any amount of money at the Rossoneri club. This contract extension is very important news for the future of Milan. However, it was not anticipated by any statements or rumours, none of this. When there is mutual respect and the intentions are clear and transparent, a simple meeting and handshake are enough.

Andriy will celebrate his 28th birthday in September and he is going to become father. Not only that: he is the Serie A top scorer and newly-crowned Italian champion. He can add another strong indication to all these achievements: he is destined to follow in Paolo Maldini's and Billy Costacurta's footsteps and be one of the family at Milan, another standard-bearer. Under his number seven shirt a Rossonero heart beats. And it may be the reason why Sheva always scored in all the crucial matches which allowed Milan to win four important trophies in the last two seasons. He scored in the quarter-finals against Ajax, in the semi-finals against Inter, the penalty in Manchester, in the Italian Cup final at the Olympic stadium, in Monte Carlo against Porto, in both Serie A games against Roma this season. Thank you Andriy and thank you Milan, we are happy to see you going on like this.