Basketball: Kobe Bryant re-signs with Lakers

All-Star guard Kobe Bryant signed a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday, but said the team may struggle next season following the departure on Thursday of Shaquille O'Neal.

Bryant rejected a strong offer from local rivals the Los Angeles Clippers and chose instead to stay with the team he has played for throughout his eight-year NBA career.

"I've been a Lakers fan since I was a little kid. Being a Laker is part of me," Bryant said after he signed a new seven-year contract reportedly worth about US$136 million (NZ$211.73 million).

The Lakers had made keeping the free agent guard their top priority during the off-season, particularly after trading All-Star centre O'Neal to the Miami Heat and parting company with coach Phil Jackson.

"It is an uphill battle [to win without O'Neal]. It was a sad day for Los Angeles on Thursday. It was sad for me, it was sad for everybody," Bryant said.