Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona has reportedly agreed to come out of retirement and make a guest appearance in the Australian National Soccer League.

The team manager of the Melbourne Knights, John Sigur, has told Reuters the club had successfully negotiated a deal with the flamboyant Frenchman to make a one-off appearance in the local derby match against South Melbourne on February 9.

"We're going to make a formal announcement later in the week but the players were all told at training last night that the deal's been sealed and they're just over the moon," Sigur said.

"We've been chasing a group of four top players but Eric was right at the head of our list and we're delighted he's agreed to come and join us.

"The club really wants to help promote the game in Australia and by having someone like Eric Cantona come and play for us, we're hoping he'll bring a lot of

media interest to the game."

The Knights employed former England star Peter Beardsley on a similar two-match deal two seasons ago.

Local newspapers reported Cantona had been offered 50,000 Australian dollars (25,000 US) for the guest appearance but Sigur said the club would not comment on how much he was being paid.

Cantona has not played topflight soccer since he suddenly left Old Trafford in 1997 but has kept himself fit playing on the European professional beach circuit.