Lyon striker Karim Benzema has signed a contract tying him to the French champions until 2013.

"We did what we had to do to keep him at Lyon," club president Jean-Michel Aulas said on announcing the signing. "We did our best so that he does not go abroad. He deserves it."

"It is out of the question to leave now for another club," the player declared. "I am feeling good at OL, I want to continue to improve here.

"I live in Lyon. It is normal for me to stay and improve here rather than in Spain, Italy or England. I had no hesitation."

The decision to re-sign - which was expected after both club and player reiterated their mutual commitment in recent weeks - was announced on the club website and scotched constant links between the France international and other top European clubs.

His previous deal was set to run out in 2012, although improved terms and a big-money release clause are understood to have been the focal point of his new contract, which has the option for an additional year.

After Benzema, only 20, scored a superb solo goal in the aggregate Champions League last 16 defeat to Manchester United, Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson publicly expressed his admiration for a player who has allegedly been coveted by Arsenal, Real Madrid and Milan.

The Lyon-born hitman, who rejected a call-up by Algeria and won his first France cap just under a year ago, subsequently insisted that he would stay at Stade Gerland until at least after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Standing at six foot tall and blessed with technical and physical ability, Benzema has been hailed as the long-term successor to Thierry Henry for both Les Blues and the Gunners, although Milan and Manchester United were tipped as the most likely destinations for this season's current Ligue 1 top scorer, with 17 league goals so far and 27 in all competitions.

Reda Maher / Eurosport