Hiddink signs new two-year contract with Russia

MOSCOW, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Dutch coach Guus Hiddink signed a new two-year contract on Monday to continue coaching Russia until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Hiddink said he was pleased with the deal: "It took a while but we are all happy now. I can now focus all my energy to prepare the team for Euro 2008 (in June)."

The Dutchman's initial contract was due to expire this July and his new contact details were not disclosed.

Hiddink, 61, who guided Russia to the Euro finals from a tough group that included Croatia and England, had been earning two million euros (2.9 million U.S. dollars) a year, according to media reports.

His salary package is paid for by Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich through his National Academy Fund.