Bradford City have started planning for the future by signing striker Robbie Blake on an extended contract until the end of the 2000-01 season.

The 21-year-old joined the Bantams in a £300,000 deal from Darlington last March and signed a deal to keep him at Valley Parade until the end of next season.

The new contract marks an amazing turnaround for the striker, who was placed on the transfer list by City following a conviction for drink-driving in September last year.

After biding his time in the reserves, Blake returned to the side against Huddersfield Town towards the end of December and his extended contract is a clear indication that his future with the club is now secure.

However, Blake's boost comes on the same day that the contract of goalkeeper Robert Zabica has been cancelled by mutual consent after the Aussie's season has been dogged by injury.

City boss Paul Jewell said: "Robbie has done very, very well and deserves this new contract. We want to tie our better players to the club and with him being a very exciting prospect we were very keen to get this sorted out.

"On the other hand, Rob Zabica's move has never really worked out due to the injuries he has suffered and it has been mutually decided that he will return home.

"It was all done very amicably. He has had a reconstruction of his knee while here and there have also been signs of arthritis. It is disappointing for him and us."

Chairman Geoffrey Richmond added: "As we said when Paul was appointed, we are not only thinking about the rest of this season but also planning for next year. Today's dual bit of news is testament to that."

The City chief added that he hoped Blake's extension would not be the last of the club's players to be signed up in a similar way.

Zabica joined the Bantams last Augustin a £100,000 deal from Australian club Perth Glory and made four league and cup appearances before being axed after the 4-0 home defeat by Sunderland on September 5.

His injury jinx then struck, and with the 33-year-old's contract due to run until the end of next season, both parties decided to cancel the agreement.

The news comes as a blow to the Aussie who had moved his wife and two young boys across the globe to embark on what he hoped would be a successful career in English football.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.