Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has agreed a new contract which will keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2007.
The four-year extension comes as Silvestre has cemented his place in the side with a number of impressive displays at centre-half in the absence of Rio Ferdinand and Laurent Blanc.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I was delighted that Mikael wanted to stay at Manchester United, and for the last few weeks the negotiations between both sides have gone very smoothly.
"He's been playing really well for us this season, and yet he is still a young man who has not reached his peak. We can see a terrific future for him at United," he said.
Silvestre added on the club's website, www.manutd.com: "I am really pleased to have agreed a new deal because I'm proud to be a member of this team. It is such a great club with great players.
"I wanted to sign a new contract so that I could achieve even more success with United, and I'm really looking forward to the next four years".
PA