by Posted: Thursday May 20, 1999 09:19 AM
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Croatia's Davor Suker, the top scorer in the 1998
World Cup, signed a deal to end his contract with Real Madrid on Wednesday
just weeks after he ruffled feathers by publicly criticizing coach John
Toshack.
In a statement issued after a meeting between the Croatian star and club
officials, Real Madrid said agreement had been reached to end the contract
a year before schedule to the benefit of both parties.
No details of the deal were released although news reports said Suker would
be paid 300 million pesetas ($2 million).
Suker, 31, refused to speak to reporters after the meeting late Wednesday
at the club's offices in uptown Madrid.
He is free to negotiate a new contract with any club. Recent reports have
linked him to Fulham and Tottenham Hotspurs of England.
Suker is one of the first victims of the new regime installed under Toshack
who replaced Guus Hiddink at Real Madrid in February charged with the task
of resuscitating the star-studded team which has faded since winning a
record seventh European Champions Cup last year.
Suker, who was playing his third season with Real, was suspended last week
without pay for missing three training sessions and for publicly criticized
Toshack.
With six goals, Suker was the top scorer in the World Cup in France, where
he helped his national team reach third place.
Suker played his last game for Madrid on April 4 against Alaves.