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Karanka set for new deal

Real Madrid central defender Aitor Karanka will sign a new deal with the club on his return from the pre-season tour of Switzerland.

Real Madrid central defender Aitor Karanka will sign a new deal with the club on his return from the pre-season tour of Switzerland.

The 27-year-old Basque stopper is under contract until June 2002 but has made a verbal agreement to renew with Real until June 2004.

Karanka has carved out a regular place in the centre of defence alongside Fernando Hierro and was impressive for the Merengues during last season's title-winning campaign.

Like his team-mates Fernando Morientes, Ivan Helguera, Iker Casillas and Fernando Hierro, Karanka's new contract with be based on incentives for winning matches and silverware, rather than a simply wage rise.