Marseille have explained that Andre Ayew remains a key figure in the club's forward march after the player extended his contract until 2015.

The Ghana international midfielder was named Marseille's player of the season for 2010-11 and was crowned BBC African Footballer of the Year on Friday.

"OM will depend on him in the years to come," said Marseille coach Didier Deschamps. "It's a very good thing that he's extended (his contract)."

Ayew, the son of former Marseille star Abedi Pele, is a graduate of the OM academy and after loan spells at Lorient and Arles-Avignon, he broke into the Marseille first team last season and played 37 matches, scoring 11 goals.

He has scored six goals in 16 matches this season.