Sami Hyypia happy to sign on for another year

Apr 7 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

SAMI HYYPIA is poised to rack up a decade of service with Liverpool after signing a new one-year contract extension.

The 34-year-old, whose present deal was due to expire at the end of the season, has committed himself to Anfield until the summer of 2009.

Hyypia has made close to 450 appearances since arriving from Dutch club Willem II for just £2.5million in 1999. The Finland international has enjoyed a renaissance this season, making 39 appearances and is poised to be recalled for tomorrow’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal.

Hyypia said: “I am very happy to have agreed a new deal. This is a great club with fantastic supporters.”

Hyypia will continue to compete with Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and January arrival Martin Skrtel for a centre-back berth. Manager Rafael Benitez believes the experienced defender can act as a role model to his younger colleagues.

“This is great news for the club,” he said. “Sami has a lot to offer. He is a fantastic professional who is an example to all young footballers. He understands the game and is clever. All these things mean he can help other players. He has shown this year how important he is to us on the pitch and he can continue to do that.”

Hyypia has won the European Cup, the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup twice, the FA Cup twice and the League Cup twice.