Sol Campbell, the former England defender whose career looked to be nearing an end when he left Arsenal last year, has signed a new contract that will keep him at Portsmouth until at least 2009.

Campbell, 32, has enjoyed a new lease of life at Portsmouth after injuries and depression blighted his final season at Arsenal. His current contract had been due to expire at the end of this campaign but he has been playing so well that the club were happy to extend his deal for a further season.

The extent of Campbell's return to form was underlined by his inclusion in England's squad for their upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers, although injury forced him to pull out.

Campbell, who recently replaced the departed Dejan Stefanovic as skipper, said he was delighted to have secured the new contract. "It's dragged on a bit but everything's been resolved," he said. "There's always a bit of speculation around the transfer window but thankfully that's over now and I can just concentrate on playing football.

"The club's moving forward with a talented squad and plans for the new training ground. The club is certainly going in the right direction."