[kennethlindheim]

SHAY Given has signed a new five-year contract with Newcastle United that keeps him at St. James' Park until 2011.

It was the news all Geordie fans wanted to hear as the brilliant Irish goalkeeper shook hands on a deal that effectively keeps him at Gallowgate for the rest of his career.

Given has just enjoyed yet another outstanding campaign for the Magpies, and his performances duly saw him voted into the Premiership's team of the season.

The 30-year-old also wore the captain's armband for the final three matches of the season as United finished with a flourish to claim seventh spot and a chance to reach Europe via the Intertoto Cup.

He told nufc.co.uk: "I'm extremely delighted to get my new contract sorted.

"I'd like to thank the Chairman and the board for what they've done and also all the fans for the support they've given me since I joined Newcastle United.

"I've already had nine great years here and I'm now looking forward to five more. Hopefully we can win something in that time because I'm still very hungry to win things as a Newcastle player.

"I've said before that I feel like an adopted Geordie now. The fans here are second to none and St. James' Park is a fantastic place to play football."

Chairman Freddy Shepherd told nufc.co.uk: "Getting the deal done with Shay is a great way to start the summer.

"It's been a fantastic last week for the club, beating Chelsea on the final day of the season to earn another crack at Europe, all the emotion of Alan Shearer's wonderful and unforgettable testimonial and now making sure the best goalkeeper in the Premiership has another five years at St. James' Park.

"Shay was voted into the Premiership's team of the season and I don't think you'll find many people who would argue with that.

"When the team walked around the pitch on Sunday after beating Chelsea you could hear the fans singing his name - Shay calls himself an adopted Geordie and our fans love him.

"Some of the saves he has made over the past season have been absolutely brilliant.

"He's Mr Reliable - he's only missed two Premiership matches in the last five seasons and we wouldn't swap him for anyone."

Given has just completed his ninth season on Tyneside, having joined from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 1997.

He has made 380 appearances for the club and his new deal means he could well break Jimmy Lawrence's all-time appearance record of 496 that has stood since 1922.

Mr Shepherd added: "Shay is still only 30, so as a goalkeeper he has plenty of years left at the very top.

"And we are delighted that he will spend them with us at Newcastle United."

Brilliant news. Glad he finally signed the contract.