Double boost for Real

Real Madrid's Fernando Morientes and Iker Casillas successfully sealed extensions to their contracts with the club on Monday evening.

Both players will finish their time at the Bernabeu in 2006 - Moro extending for two years and Casillas adding three years onto his existing contract.

The new deals will feature Real's recent policy of offering squad members performance-related incentives and match bonuses rather than simply boosting their pay packets.

The club is keen to cap the wages of its top earners - top dogs Zidane, Raul and Figo will be given preferential treatment, while the rest of the squad will be given grade 2 status - meaning that their wages won't necessarily be increased each time they renew.

Furthermore, all players will have to loan their image rights to Real Madrid, so that the club can bring in returns from merchandising branded with the club's name.