France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has signed a two-year contract to stay at Olympique Marseille until 2006, the Ligue 1 club said on their Web site on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old World Cup winner joined Marseille on loan from Manchester United in January and the English club had already agreed to terminate his contract at the end of June.

"We have signed a contract for two years," Marseille president Christophe Bouchet told the Web site.

"It's a good length. It leads up to the (2006) World Cup."

Barthez, who also played for Marseille between 1992 and 1995, has impressed back in his homeland having fallen out of favour at United, whom he joined in June 2000 for $13.96 million.

"He has demonstrated that he really is one of the best goalkeepers in the world," Bouchet added.

Although no transfer fee is involved, Barthez's wages mean Marseille have made a substantial outlay to keep the World Cup winner.

"This shows our desire to strengthen the current squad with very high quality players. In this way we are showing our ambition for next season," Bouchet said.

Marseille lie sixth in Ligue 1 having improved following a poor start to the season. They host Newcastle on May 6 in the second leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final with the tie goalless after the first leg.