Ireland goalkeeper Rob Elliot will be sticking around in Newcastle for the next four years at least after signing a new deal at St. James' Park.
The four-times capped goalkeeper will now look to establish himself as the number one man between the sticks for Newcastle this season as he rebounds from a knee injury suffered during Ireland's 2-2 friendly draw with Slovakia last March.
Elliot's main competition for the goalkeeper's jersey - Tim Krul - is spending this season on loan at Ajax as Newcastle look to trim their wage bill (temporarily at least) ahead of an expected return to England's top division next season.
ELLIOT "delighted" to commit future to United 🇮🇪⚫️⚪️
👉🏽 https://t.co/6XMaJ9rHX3 #NUFC pic.twitter.com/mliC0UMaIk— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 7, 2016
There will be a lot of Irish eyes focused on Newcastle United's promotion hunt this season. The addition of Ciaran Clark to the Newcastle backline, along with the signing of Daryl Murphy to lead their line, means that the Magpies have one of the higher contingents of Irish players in the football league system.
Speaking today upon signing the new contract, Elliot said:
I'm delighted. Personally, I had a good run in the team last year but I was obviously gutted at the end with the injury so it's a real confidence-booster that the Club have put their faith in me.
It's helped my rehab as well, because it's something to work towards, and it ties everything up perfectly now so I can look forward to the future, commit to gettting back fit and hopefully getting us back to where we want to be.
All talk of promotion aside, Newcastle have made a rather stuttering start to their season in the Championship. Three wins and two losses in their first five matches means that Rafa Benitez's men sit in fourth place in the division and are already playing catch-up with early leaders Huddersfield Town.
Elliot - who was voted Newcastle's player of the year last season - will be hoping that a solid season will increase the pressure on Ireland's current number one Darren Randolph who is firmly behind Adrián in the pecking order at West Ham.
The first order of business for Elliot though is a return to full fitness and it is hoped he will be back in first team duties in a matter of weeks.
