Goal in Rome
Club chairman Ihor Surkis announced the news in Rome airport late last night as the Dynamo squad headed home following their abandoned UEFA Champions League match against AS Roma. Gavrancic's goal had given Dynamo a half-time lead before referee Anders Frisk was hit by an object thrown from the stands and the match abandoned.

Interest from other clubs
Surkis said: "We cancelled the old deal which was due to run out on 1 January next year and agreed a new one which will last for five years." Gavrancic has been at the club since 2000 and Surkis said he had "rushed the new deal through" after learning of interest in the Serbo-Montenegrin international from FC Lokomotiv Moskva and FC Spartak Moskva. "For us letting a player like Goran go is unacceptable," Surkis added.

Signs of progress
Gavrancic said: "Before signing a new deal I had a serious conversation with the president. In each of the past three seasons in the Champions League we've lacked that little bit needed to advance to the next round. This time around the group is serious, and Dynamo are up to it."

Versatile
The 26-year-old Gavrancic is a versatile player, who can operate at centre-back and or in a defensive midfield position. He joined Dynamo from FK Cukaricki in December 2000 and has won three titles and one Ukraine Cup with the club.