Real Madrid transfer news: Karim Benzema off the transfer market after signing new deal

The France forward has ended speculation over his future by committing to Real for a further five years

Karim Benzema has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract that will keep him at the Bernabeu until 2019.

The France striker hit 24 goals in 52 appearances last season as Real claimed their first Champions League title in 12 years and followed his good form up with a star turn for Didier Deschamps' men at the World Cup - but as is seemingly always the way in Madrid, it was thought that the former Lyon hitman could be on his way out of the club.

Real have been linked strongly to Radamel Falcao of Monaco in recent weeks - a move that would have thrown Benzema's future with Los Blancos into doubt.

Instead, Madrid's interest in the Colombian would appear to have been ended by Benzema's five-year deal.

Since moving from Lyon in 2009 Benzema has been a consistent source of goals at the point of the Real attack, with 111 strikes in 235 appearances.