Foster signs new Man Utd contract

Foster missed the end of last season with a thumb injury

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has agreed terms on a new four-year contract with the club.

Foster, 26, battled with Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak for the keeper's jersey throughout last season but was hampered by injuries.

And despite admitting that a lack of first-team football could compromise his international prospects, Foster has chosen to stay at Old Trafford.

"I'm really happy to commit my future to the club," he said.

"The team spirit here is fantastic and working along side Edwin and Tomasz has been a great influence on my career."

606: DEBATE I really hope he goes on to be our number one for many years to come and that he gets his fair share of games this season UnitedSi

Foster made nine appearances for the Reds during last season's campaign, including a brilliant performance in the penalty shoot-out victory over Tottenham in the Carling Cup final.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson added: "We are delighted that Ben has signed a new four-year deal.

"Ben is seen as one of the best young goalkeepers in England and we genuinely see him as a successor to Edwin van der Sar."

Foster, who is considered a potential England number one, had surgery on a ruptured thumb ligament in May which ruled him out for the final month of last season.

That meant the twice-capped England international missed the Champions League final against Barcelona and the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra in June.

Foster, who missed most of the 2007/08 season following cruciate ligament surgery, has been unfortunate with injuries having also suffered an ankle ligament injury just a few weeks into last season.

The goalkeeper joined the club in July 2005 from Stoke but spent two seasons on loan at Watford.