Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was a happy man after tying up a deal to keep Jonas Gutierrez at St James' Park.
The 28-year-old Argentina international, who had two years of his existing contract still to run, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal which will keep him on Tyneside until 2015.
Gutierrez's decision to stay comes after speculation that he could join the likes of Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton in quitting the club despite Pardew's hopes of retaining their services. The manager said: "Jonas is an integral part of the future of Newcastle United and we are delighted to have signed a new contract with him."
Pardew added: "As a seasoned international player, he adds a different dimension to our play when he is on the field and is a huge asset to us.
"Jonas can turn a game in an instant, he has marvellous ball skills, a terrific work-rate and in my time here, has hardly missed a game. That's the sort of consistency, fitness and performance-wise, that a manager looks for in a player."
Gutierrez arrived on Tyneside from Real Mallorca during the summer of 2008, a move which was far from straightforward as the Magpies eventually agreed to pay compensation for a player they believed they were getting for free after he had bought himself out of his contract.
His first season in English football ended in major disappointment when Newcastle were relegated from the Barclays Premier League, but he was one of the bigger names who chose to stay and fight for an immediate return to the top flight.
In the process, he established himself as a crowd favourite, and he has played a significant part in an unbeaten start to the current campaign which has left the club sitting in fourth place in the table.
Gutierrez said: "I have said many times that I love playing for Newcastle. I love the city, the fans and the team, so I had no hesitation in signing a new contract.
"It has been a good start to the season and this is a great place to be. I am proud that the manager and the board see me as part of the long-term future of Newcastle. I have always given my best here and I will always do that."
Source: PA
