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African trio commit to Lille contracts

Kader Keita, Jean II Makoun and Peter Odemwingie have boosted LOSC Lille Métropole's future prospects by signing one-year extensions with the French club.

'Great potential'
Ivory Coast winger Keita will remain at the northern French club until June 2010. The 25-year-old is in his second term at Lille following a move from Qatari club Al Saad, and coach Claude Puel said: "He has great potential. It was a challenge for him to join us after four years in the Gulf but he's on the brink of great things."

Puel delight
Puel is also delighted to secure the services of 23-year-old Cameroon midfielder Makoun until 2011. He said: "He is an outstanding ball-winner, very strong mentally and it makes you feel comfortable when you can rely on such a player." Nigerian forward Odemwingie, meanwhile, is Ligue 1's leading scorer with five goals from eight games and has signed up until 2011 as well.

'One of the best'
"He can be one of the best strikers in France," said Puel of the 25-year-old. The Uzbekistan-born player added: "I have progressed a lot since I joined, and I think I can keep improving here." Makoun joined Lille in 2002, with Odemwingie arriving in 2004/05. The trio have played in both of Lille's UEFA Champions League Group H matches, draws against RSC Anderlecht and AC Milan. Lille face AEK Athens FC at home next Tuesday, looking to prolong their unbeaten start to the campaign.