The deal will cover five seasons until 2009/2010

The multi-million pound agreement will be for five seasons from 2005/2006 up to 2009/2010.

It will extend the Newcastle-based mortgage bank's contract as the club's main sponsor, a deal which was announced in April last year.

United chairman Freddy Shepherd said he was delighted the club's links with the company were continuing.

'Long-term relationship'

On the club's official website, Mr Shepherd said: "We are absolutely delighted to extend our relationship with Northern Rock, a genuine Newcastle company which has brought the Geordies together under one roof and also on the field of play."

He said the deal would help develop the club's brand on a domestic and international level.

Northern Rock chief executive Adam Applegarth said on the website: "I said when we announced our initial sponsorship deal in April 2003 that we intended to talk to the club about extending our relationship beyond 2005.

"We continue to see this as a long-term relationship as the Newcastle United brand is being enhanced both on and off the pitch."