Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer has signed a new four-year deal to keep him at the club until 2009. "The club wanted me to stay and I wanted to stay. It didn't take long for my agent and the club to agree it all," said the England international.
"This is a really important season for the club and for me. We have to improve on last year and I'm sure we will."
The 26-year-old was a �6.5m buy from Ipswich in July 1999 and has scored 28 goals in 189 starts.
Dyer's future at Newcastle twice appeared to be in jeopardy last term.
In the first match of the season, under Sir Bobby Robson, he refused to play on the wing.
And in April this year, he was involved in an on-field bust-up with team-mate Lee Bowyer.
However, he is now focused on producing his best form for the Magpies and gaining a place in England's squad for the World Cup in 2006.
"There is an excellent spirit here and we are all looking forward to the start of the Premiership," he told stellargroup.co.uk.
"I hope to stay fit and play in as many games as I can and hopefully there will be a place at the World Cup waiting for me at the end of the season."
MMIX
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Good player but doesn't do enough for how much he's paid
Match of the Day - Post-match interviews