Source: Daily_Mail
Steven Taylor signs new five-and-a-half year deal at Newcastle
Newcastle Steven Taylor has signed his new contract to stay with Newcastle United for another five years.[LNB]The central defender, who has kept his place in the Newcastle side under new boss Alan Pardew, will be with the club until 2016.[LNB]Taylor had been on the transfer list after the break down of talks earlier this year and he was linked with moves to Everton, Aston Villa and Wolves.[LNB] Deal me in: Toon defender Taylor (left) has extended his stay on Tyneside[LNB]Taylor said: 'I am absolutely delighted to have agreed terms withthe club on a new long term contract that will see me play forNewcastle United in my prime years.[LNB]'I joined the club as a boy and feel confident that I can fulfil all my professional ambitions here at my home-town club.[LNB]'Throughout the past few months I have never lost hope thateverything could be sorted and that I could stay here and play for thisfantastic football club.[LNB]'I would like to thank the fans for their support throughout thecontract negotiations and I'll look to repay them with my performancesin the black and white shirt. [LNB]'Also Chris Hughton for bringing me back into the team, Alan Pardewwho made it clear from day one that he wanted me to stay at the club,the board and management for their willingness to work together to findan agreement and finally my agent Paul Stretford for always having mybest interests at heart.'[LNB] [LNB] Local hero: Striker Carroll also recently committed his future to Newcastle[LNB]Pardew kept Taylor in the Newcastle side which lost 3-1 at home toManchester City on Boxing Day. Fabricio Coloccini was also recalledafter serving a three-match ban, leaving Mike Williamson on the bench,while Sol Campbell was dropped completely. [LNB]Although the veteran defender has been ill recently, his days on Tyneside look numbered.[LNB]Keeping Taylor for longer, and putting aside any differences betweenthe club, player and his representative, was one of Pardew's prioritiesfollowing his arrival and the Newcastle manager is pleased the matteris closed as he looks to recover from the City defeat at Tottenham onTuesday.[LNB]Pardew said: 'I've always really admired Steven Taylor and I thought it was imperative that we kept him here. [LNB]'He's still young, he's a Geordie and he's a top defender. He'splayed a lot of games for somebody his age, played in Europe andcaptained his country at under-21 level, and that says everything youneed to know about him.[LNB]'Steven is somebody who can be a bedrock of our defence for a longtime to come, and it's great news that he's staying. I made it one ofmy priorities when I arrived. Steven is just the sort of player that weneed to keep at this club.'[LNB][LNB] Alan Pardew targets John Carver as Newcastle No 2Newcastle 1 Manchester City 3: Carlos Tevez keeps City in the hunt with double to down Magpies NEWCASTLE FC
