Dirk Nowitzki to follow in Kobe Bryant's footsteps by reaching 20-year milestone

Dirk Nowitzki has signed a new deal with Dallas Mavericks that will take him into his 20th season with the NBA franchise.

The 7ft German will join Kobe Bryant, who is the only other player in NBA history to have spent 20 years on the same team. Nowitzki has reportedly agreed a two-year contract with the team carrying an option to extend the deal into the second season.

Nowitzki, 39, has featured in a franchise-record 13 All-Star Games. He is the highest foreign points scorer in NBA history and last season became only the sixth man to score 30,000 career-points in the NBA.

Named NBA MVP in 2007, Nowitzki played in 54 games last season, all as a starter, averaging 14.2 points, his lowest since his rookie season.