Neil Lennon received an early birthday present when Leicester presented the midfielder with a lucrative four-year contract.

Leicester have called a press conference for noon today at their training ground to announce the new deal for the Northern Ireland international, who is 28 tomorrow.

It was widely expected that Lennon, who had a year left on his present agreement, would commit himself to the Foxes after manager Martin O'Neill ended the uncertainty over his own future earlier this month by signing a three-year contract.

That was enough to convince Lennon, who was being tracked by a number of Premiership clubs, to stay at Filbert Street.

Lennon has been a huge success for Leicester since he arrived in a £750,000 transfer from Crewe in 1996 and his signing is a welcome boost to the Foxes, who look set to lose goalkeeper Kasey Keller and defender Rob Ullathorne when their contracts expire at the end of the month.

Leicester have also yet to persuade England striker Emile Heskey to pledge his future to the club. Heskey's current agreement ends next summer and so far he has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Veteran German midfielder Lothar Matthaus is to quit Bayern Munich this winter to play in the United States.

The 38-year-old former world player of the year has already signed a deal with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars which allows him to decide when he leaves for his new club.

"My plans are that it will be this winter," he said.

"I intend to take holidays in January, continue to train with Bayern in February and then in March begin the American season."

Paul Konchesky has signed a new deal with Charlton which will keep him at The Valley until 2005.