Gaia is attracting interest from League clubs

Exeter City defender Santos Gaia has agreed a new deal to keep him at St James's Park until June 2006.

The 25-year-old Brazilian, who joined Exeter at the start of last season, has been a key figure in the Grecians' bid to secure an instant return to the Football League.

Gaia follows Chris Todd and Glenn Cronin in committing their futures to the Conference club.

"There has been a lot of interest in Santos," said City director Julian Tagg.

"Division One and Division Two clubs were interested in him at the start of the season.

"But he is very settled here now and very happy with the way things are different compared to last year.

"The negotiations weren't as difficult as I thought they would be because his agent is a very sensible man who has got Santos' best interests at heart.

"Santos will go on to play at a higher level, I am convinced of that, but for now he is best looked after by staying here longer," Tagg told the Exeter Express and Echo.

Meanwhile, Exeter have rejected an approach from Darlington for former Quakers winger James Coppinger.