MARK Hughes today reassures Welsh football fans: "I will sign my new contract."

And Hughes, who has turned Wales into a European footballing force from relative obscurity, insists: "I will see the job through."

The Football Association of Wales and Hughes' legal team have spent months thrashing out a double-your-money deal, worth around £150,000-a-year, that will tie him to the Welsh job until after the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany - and the pact includes bonuses if they reach Euro 2004 in Portugal.

The FAW council agree that Hughes should be the best paid manager in their history - and secretary general David Collins said: "We are just waiting for Mark to put pen to paper."

Hughes, capped 72 times, said he would sign on the dotted-line before Wales memorable clash with Italy last month but there have been delays in the process.

He told the Argus: "It is more complicated than a player signing a contract because it has to be agreed by various councils and committees.

"I have got the contract now and I will sign. I have been a bit busy in the last few weeks but now I've got a bit of time to myself I'll go through it and double-check everything is fine. But don't worry, I want to see this job through."

Hughes, who took over from Bobby Gould almost three years ago to the day, has got Welsh football buzzing after a record-equalling eight-game unbeaten run and a perfect start to their Euro 2004 qualifying quest.

Their hat-trick of opening Group Nine wins against Finland, Italy and Azerbaijan is the first time they've ever won their opening three qualifying games, and they could make that four when they welcome minnows Azerbaijan to the Millennium Stadium on March 29.

His ability to turn around Wales' fortunes has seen Premiership chairmen look up and take notice.

And his old mentor Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary Manchester United boss, has said Hughes would be the perfect replacement when he finally leaves Old Trafford.

That sparked concerns that Hughes, 39, will not sign his new contract but the Welsh manager said firmly: "I can't walk away now, there's still a lot of work to be done.

"It's flattering to have name linked with jobs, especially Manchester United, but that is what happens your team plays well - the manager always gets linked with other clubs.

"That's football. However, I'm not going to walk away from Wales."

l Mark Hughes will take the Welsh players away to Marbella on a training camp in February. There is a designated date for friendly games on Wednesday 12 but no-one has contacted the FAW and Hughes plans to take his players to Spain.