Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini's new deal includes the option for a fifth year.

The Sunday Sun says the Argentina defender signed a contract which makes him United's top earner on around £70,000 a year, bringing a long set of negotiations to a satisfactory end.

And there is an optional year at the end of the four-year contract signed, which can be taken up by either the player or the club as the contract comes to an end.

It is a major sign of faith in the skipper that United are prepared to break their own rule of not signing players over 27.