Kuffour extends Bayern contract

Bayern Munich defender Samuel Kuffour followed in the footsteps of Bixente Lizarazu by committing his future to the European champions.

Kuffour has agreed a two-year extension to his contract to keep him with the German champions until 2005.

The unsettled Ghanaian international, 24, has been the subject of transfer speculation linking him with big money moves to Barcelona and AS Roma in recent months.

"Kuffour has realised that in other countries you can be waiting six months for your wages. With us your money is guaranteed every month," Bayern Munich's general manager Uli Hoeness told www.bundesliga.de.

Back in March, Bayern slapped a ?3,000 fine on the player for having 'secret' talks with a Barca representative.

Offers for around ?11m are rumoured to been turned down to secure the services of the player voted the Bundesliga's 'Best Defender' in 1998-99 season.