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Newcastle United have announced that they have agreed a new two-year deal with defender Ryan Taylor that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2015.
Taylor first moved to the Sports Direct Arena during the January transfer window in 2009 and made ten appearances that season but was unable to help keep them in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old was a regular in the first team in the Championship and helped the club instantly return to the top flight but last season he struggled with injuries and was only able to play a handful of games.
However, this season Taylor has been instrumental in helping Newcastle push for a place in Europe, playing both at left back for the majority of the season and now filling in on the right side of midfield.
Taylor has missed just two Premier League games all season and has two goals, with perhaps his most important coming in the Tyne-Wear derby as he scored the only goal of the game.
"I'm over the moon. It's been a quiet one to get done and didn't take long," Taylor told the clubs official website. "I stated not so long ago that I would love to stay here, and that has always been the case. Playing every week helps, and having a good manager has been a massive plus for me as well.
"When the gaffer came in first of all I was injured, so I've had to prove myself to him. But this season has been great for me on a personal note, and to have played every Premier League game bar two or three then it's been a great season."
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew also revealed his delight at being able to secure the long term future of the Liverpudlian.
"I am delighted to secure a contract extension for Ryan. He has been outstanding for me this season wherever I have asked him to play," said Pardew.
"Ryan is a fantastic player who is firmly in the hearts of our fans, not only for his derby winner against Sunderland but also because of some excellent performances in the Newcastle shirt.
"On the back of agreeing new deals last week with Tim Krul and Fabricio Coloccini this gives us a huge boost going into the final 11 games, and hopefully Ryan can help us make this a truly memorable season."
