Gera sticks with Ferencváros

Top man
The 23-year-old striker, voted Hungary's Player of the Year for 2002 in a poll of coaches organised by the Hungarian Football Federation, has signed a new contract that could keep him at the Budapest club until summer 2005.

Loyalty payment
"I feel good here," said Gera, who had been linked with a move away from the Hungarian 1. Liga with reported interest from teams in Turkey, Germany and France. "I became a player at Ferencváros - that is the reason for my staying rather than moving abroad where I could earn more money."

Making strides
Gera, who scored a hat-trick in Hungary's UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying win against San Marino in October, also had a word of praise for Ferencváros coach József Garami. "He is a very good trainer and I feel the club is making real progress," he said.

Forward planning
Meanwhile, Ferencváros general manager József Szeiler was delighted with his player's decision to stay with the Hungarian league leaders. "We are looking to build a squad here rather than sell our best players," he said.