Francesco Totti signed a new five-year contract on Tuesday with AS Roma to make him the fifth-highest-paid player in the world.
The deal is worth €10,4-million (R87,1-million) annually and expires on June 30 2010.
Roma’s captain will earn an additional €520 000 (R4,3-million) per season from the club through image rights.
The total of €10,92-million (R91,5-million) places Totti fifth on the list of highest-paid players, published in France Football magazine earlier this month.
Totti now trails only Inter Milan’s Christian Vieri — who earns €12-million (R100,5-million) per season to be fourth on the list — among Italian players.
Real Madrid’s David Beckham is the highest-paid player with his salary, endorsements and image rights totalling €25-million (R209,5-million) annually.
Totti was also assured of a place in Roma’s management when he retires.
The 28-year-old Totti has played his entire career with Roma, making his Serie A debut at the age of 16 and leading the club to the 2000/01 league title.
”Totti will now always be a symbol of Roma, just as Paolo Maldini is for AC Milan,” Rome mayor Walter Veltroni said. ”That’s very significant in this day and age where real franchise players really don’t exist any more.”
Roma, which will now try to re-sign forward Antonio Cassano, is also looking for a new coach.
A press conference with Totti and Roma chairperson Rosella Sensi is scheduled for Wednesday. — Sapa-AP