The former USA international, who joined the club from Liverpool seven years ago, is now committed to Rovers until June 2009.

Friedel, 35, told the club's official website, www.rovers.co.uk: "I am delighted and it was an easy situation.

"I love being here and the fact that the club want me to stay on a little longer is great.

"Rovers showed great faith in me when I wasn't playing first team football at Liverpool and I remember things like that. This has proved a tremendous move for me and I want to repay the club by giving of my services for as long as I can.

"I feel in good shape and I hope that some time in the future I will be sitting down to agree another contract - who knows?"

Friedel came to English football from Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew when he joined Liverpool in a £1million deal in 1997.

He struggled to establish himself at Anfield but has become a firm favourite at Rovers and excelled for the USA at the 2002 World Cup.

He retired from international football in 2005 after winning 82 caps.