Former All Black, Christian Cullen has been retained on a one-year contract with Heineken Cup Champions Munster.

According to media reports, Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald confirmed yesterday Christian Cullen has been retained on a one-year contract, thus ending speculation of a move abroad.

"Christian Cullen will be staying with Munster having agreed terms for a one-year contract renewal," said Fitzgerald.

French outfit Toulon, who have signed Cullen's Munster team mate Rob Henderson and former New Zealand skipper Tana Umaga in recent weeks, were reportedly interested.

The 30-year-old full-back, who is still New Zealand's top try scorer with 46 tries in 58 Tests, is sticking with the Heineken Cup champions despite competing deals from abroad.

Cullen's career with the province has been dogged by a series of injuries - he was signed by Alan Gaffney in 2003 but his first season in red was curtailed by a shoulder problem.

He played only twice in the Celtic League last year - he cruelly damaged his ankle in the second game against the Ospreys and missed out on a prized appearance in the Heineken Cup final against Biarritz.