OAKLAND, California (AFP) - Kelenna Azubuike, an English-born Nigerian free agent guard, will remain with Golden State after the National Basketball Association club matched an offer from the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Warriors announced Thursday they would equal the Clippers' offer, reportedly worth nine million dollars over three years, to keep Azubuike.

"We are pleased to have Kelenna back in the fold," Warriors vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin said. "He's a young and talented player who has continued to improve during his two seasons with our team."

Azubuike, 24, averaged 8.1 points and 4.0 rebounds over 81 games for the Warriors last season. In his rookie campaign a season earlier, he had 7.1 points and 2.3 rebounds a game over 41 appearances.

Azubuike played three seasons at the University of Kentucky through 2005 but was not drafted by any NBA club and signed with the Warriors early last year.