The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Kobe Bryant to a two-year contract extension, securing the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history into his 20th season with the franchise. It has been reported, but not confirmed, that the deal is worth 48.5 million USD, keeping Kobe among the NBA’s highest-paid players.

Kobe hasn’t played this season as he is recovering from surgery on his torn Achilles tendon but the Lakers didn’t wait to renew their commitment to the five-time NBA champion before he got anywhere close to the free-agent market next summer.

If Bryant fulfils his new contract, he will break John Stockton’s record of 19 seasons with one NBA franchise. Kobe started his career with the Lake Show in 1996, and has won 5 NBA titles with the franchise, and 2 NBA finals MVPs and 1 regular season MVP. The deal, which will average 24.25 millions US dollars a year also keeps him among the highest paid players in the league.