Lithuanian forward Darius Songaila can focus firmly on the Olympics after agreeing to a new contract with the Sacramento Kings.

The 2.04m power forward, a collegiate star at Wake Forest who shot to prominence on the international stage at Sydney 2000, is to accept a two-year deal worth approximately 3.4million US dollars.

Songaila is currently working out with his national team as they prepare for the Athens Games and will sign the contract when it’s logistically possible.

His agent Mark Bartelstein told the Sacramento Bee that Songaila's deal will start at 1.6million US dollars this season.

Another 1.76million dollars will be available in 2005-2006 if he accepts his option.

“He'll have the player option after the first year,” Bartelstein told the newspaper.

“There was a lot of interest in him, but he wanted to come back here. Darius really liked playing in Sacramento and playing for (coach) Rick (Adelman). He was offered considerably more years and money, but wanted to play for the Kings.

“He rolled the dice a little bit, but I think he's going to get an opportunity to play and show what he can do and I think there will be a lot of interest in him next year if he decides to opt out (after this season).

“Darius did what a lot of players don't do. It's not that he doesn't feel like money is important because he does. ... It's a testament to (Kings President of Basketball Operations) Geoff (Petrie) and Rick.”

Songaila was acquired in a 2003 draft-day trade from the Boston Celtics for two second-round picks.

“He proved himself to be a solid contributor to our team last season,” Kings general manager Geoff Petrie said in a club statement.

“I feel he has a great future in the league.”

In Songaila’s four-year career at Wake Forest, he averaged more than 14 points, five rebounds and almost two assists per game.

He finished his spell in the ACC ranked eighth in school history in rebounds (813), ninth in points (1,859) and second in games played (130).

At the Olympics, Songaila scored almost 10 points and averaged nearly five rebounds per game as Lithuania snatched a bronze medal.

After leaving college, Songaila played a season with Russian giants CSKA Moscow.

Following that experience, he played a vital role for the Baltic country in their 2003 European Championship-winning campaign in Sweden.

Songaila averaged 4.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 73 games as a rookie last season and was a free agent at the conclusion of the NBA campaign.