Figo inks one-year deal with Saudi club Al Ittihad

Manama, Jan 7 (UNI) Portuguese soccer star Luis Figo has signed up for a one-year contract with Saudi giants Al Ittihad in one of the biggest deals ever in Asia.

The two-time Asian club champions Al Ittihad's Chairman Mansour Al Balawi announced that the former World and European Player of the Year had inked a one-year deal for next season for a whopping 59 million dollar.

''We have signed a deal for one year from July 1, 2007,'' said Al Balawi, adding that this was ''one of the biggest deals ever in the Asia.'' ''Luis Figo has lots of experience and he will be a great asset for the club.'' Figo, who is now playing for Inter Milan, was named European Footballer of the Year in 2000 and FIFA World Player of the Year the following year.

He captained both the Portugal national sides which lost to Greece in the European Cup final at home in 2004 and which reached the semi-final in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

UNI