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The attacking midfielder of the French champion club Hatem Ben Arfa has signed a new four-year contract and will remain at "Stade Gerland" until 2010.
One of the most promising French players has been sidelined due to a shin injury since August, but the currently leading "Lyon" in "Ligue 1" wanted to keep this French youth national team safety in the club.
H.Ben Arfa's previous contract was set to expire in June of next year, and there were several clubs interested in this attacking midfielder, who rejected an offer to participate in the Tunisia national team at the World Cup last summer.
In the "Lions" team, the 19-year-old safety has not stood out in any of the 21 matches, but it is believed that the team's head coach Gerard Houllier will provide the player with more opportunities in the future.
"By signing a new contract, he has shown his respect and loyalty to the club and I think he made the right decision, as he will play at the highest level team," said a "Lyon" team representative to the club's website.
Meanwhile, another striker of the club, Sidney Govou, also hopes to quickly extend his contract and link his future with the "Lyon" team. It is believed that he would also represent it until 2010.
The 27-year-old player was ready to leave the club in the summer of 2005, but he turned down lucrative offers and he still retains his place in the team's main lineup.
