LEEDS skipper Lucas Radebe has agreed to a new deal with the club that will see him end his playing career at Elland Road.

The 31-year-old, currently in South Africa ahead of his country's African Nations Cup clash with Liberia, is expected to sign the new contract next week.

Radebe's agent Gary Blumberg said: "As far as we're concerned the contract talks have been concluded. All that remains now is for Lucas to sign the papers.

"We hope that he will sign immediately on his return to Yorkshire and we hope that this will be the last rolling contract Lucas needs to sign.

"He loves the place, he loves the fans and he hopes that he will be there right to the end of his career."

Radebe admitted he would not be satisfied with a place on the bench if Leeds boss David O'Leary decided to partner £18million new signing Rio Ferdinand with Jonathan Woodgate in central defence.

But Blumberg added: "Leeds fans should have no concerns. Lucas is encouraged by the signing of Rio Ferdinand. Every time he sees a new player arrive he gets excited and phones us to tell us that another quality player has been brought to the club."