Malouda seals long-term deal

Florent Malouda has signed a two-year contract extension with Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Lyonnais, tying himself to the Stade Gerland until June 2010.

Key figure
The 25-year-old France midfielder has thrived at Lyon since joining from EA Guingamp in June 2003, and has firmly established himself at the club, playing a key role in the team's excellent campaign this season. Malouda has scored twice in 20 Ligue 1 appearances for the champions this term, although he missed the side's solitary defeat by LOSC Lille Metropolé in December with a knee strain.

Lyon faith
The Guyana-born player, who has won nine international caps with Les Bleus, has also played five times in this season's impressive UEFA Champions League run, and the Ligue 1 leaders have rewarded him for his consistent form. "Lyon have kept their trust in me and that's very important to my eyes," said Malouda, who is likely to start in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.