Taylor pens long-awaited deal

11:00pm Friday 4th July 2008

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has ended speculation over his future by signing a new three-year contract.

The 22-year-old finally put pen to paper after more than a year of negotiations following the intervention of club owner Mike Ashley.

Taylor, captain of England Under-21s, always insisted he wanted to stay with the club he supported as a boy and will be delighted to have finally been rewarded with the deal he craved.

Ashley urged new managing director Derek Llambias to find a swift resolution within days of his appointment with a series of potential suitors looking on jealously.

Manager Kevin Keegan was desperate to retain the services of the Greenwich-born player, who has established himself as a firm favourite with the club's fans since emerging from the academy.

He will now hope for similar success with star striker Michael Owen who, like Taylor, had a year remaining on his existing contract.

It is understood Taylor's new deal will more than treble his wage packet to around £35,000 a week and bring him into line with the likes of James Milner and Charles N'Zogbia, who have recently been awarded improved terms.

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