Nekounam wants to stay

Nekounam, 26, only joined the Pamplona-based club at the start of the season but has impressed particularly in Europe and had been linked with moves away from the club this summer.

But the player insists that he will stay until the end of his contract, and hopes to re-sign before then:

"I will continue at Osasuna next season," he declared. "Nobody has contacted me regarding a move although some rumours have been published in the papers.

"I'm really very happy here and my decision is clear."

His current deal runs until the summer of 2008 and there is the option for another year. He added that he has arranged a meeting with the club to negotiate a salary increase and the release clause set in the contract.