LANCASHIRE SEAL FLINTOFF DEAL

The 31-year-old England all-rounder, who retired from Tests at the end of the Ashes series, is currently recovering after undergoing surgery to his right knee in late August.

Flintoff told Lancashire's official website: "I am delighted at being able to agree a new contract which enables me to remain at Old Trafford for the next three years. I have felt part of Lancashire ever since I first played here as a schoolboy and I want to help them achieve success."

He added: "I have enjoyed many highs with England over the years, but I have not had the same success with Lancashire and that is something I want to address.

"I have a good relationship with Peter Moores and Glen Chapple, and hopefully I can be of help to them both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

"I am looking forward to being around the Lancashire dressing room more now I have retired from Test cricket, and this contract will also give me the flexibility to play other forms of one-day cricket around the world, which will hopefully help me develop as a player and in turn help Lancashire and England."

Flintoff, who made his debut for the Red Rose in 1995, marked his retirement from Test cricket in style as England beat Australia at The Oval to regain the Ashes. But an arthroscopy and microfracture surgery ruled him out of the subsequent NatWest Twenty20 international series and NatWest Series against Australia and the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

And in September Flintoff rejected the England and Wales Cricket Board's offer of an incremental contract.

Lancashire's cricket director Mike Watkinson was delighted the all-rounder had committed his future to the county, saying: "Fred is Lancashire through-and-through and he is a great inspiration to our young players.

"It is a huge boost for the club that he will be wearing our shirt on a regular basis in 2010 and beyond."