Lucio stays another year at Leverkusen
First Published: Jun 30, 2003Brazilian international defender Lucio is staying another season at German first division club Bayer Leverkusen despite reported interest from Juventus and AS Roma, Leverkusen said.
Lucio, 25, a member of Brazil's World Cup-winning team, is officially under contract with the 2002 Champions League finalists until 2007 but he would only confirm that he will stay until the end of the 2003-2004 Bundesliga season.
"I have definitely decided to play one more year for Leverkusen," said Lucio in a statement. "We have a strong team and both I and my family feel extraordinarily at home in Germany."
His decision means he will play no part in European club competition, as Leverkusen had a disastrous 2002-2003 season, sacking coach Klaus Toppmoller and narrowly avoiding relegation.
The club backed by the Bayer pharmaceutical giant is making budget cuts and other star players such as Yildiray Basturk are expected to leave.
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