Kluivert to remain at Camp Nou

PATRICK KLUIVERT will stay at Barcelona next term after agreeing to continue with his current contractual terms, though the player could walk out next summer if the club do not renegotiate his deal during the course of the season.

A clause in the Dutch international's contract had stated that he would be free to leave Camp Nou this summer for just ‚é¼1.8 million (£1.2 million) if he was not offered an improved deal.

However, the former Ajax star, who had always stated his desire to remain with the Catalan outfit, has now agreed a compromise deal with the club.

The accord was confirmed by Barca director general Xavier Perez Farguell and brings to end weeks of speculation over the hit-man's future.

New Barca boss Frank Rijkaard had made it clear to his board of directors that retaining Kluivert was one of his main priorities, and the news will come as a huge relief to the former Dutch national team coach.

Kluivert is still under contract with La Primera outfit until June 2005, though a similar scenario to this summer could repeat itself if the player is not handed improved economic terms during this campaign.