Federico Fernandez's new contract includes an option at Newcastle United.

The Evening Chronicle says Fernandez could end up staying at Newcastle until he is 35 after the veteran signed a two-year contract - which gives the Magpies the option of extending his new deal by a further 12 months in 2023.

Since Steve Bruce was appointed, in 2019, a host of experienced players have been tied down by the club, including Martin Dubravka (32), Jonjo Shelvey (29), Matt Ritchie (31), Karl Darlow (30), Ciaran Clark (31), Dwight Gayle (30) and, now, Fernandez (32).

Bruce has been keen to keep hold of that dressing room core - those older heads who know what it means to play for the Magpies - and, tellingly, the Newcastle head coach has been listened to.

Fernandez's situation was among those topics discussed in the 'big conversations' Bruce held with the club's hierarchy a few days after the final day win at Fulham last season.

Bruce previously admitted that some 'difficult decisions' had to be made on the club's out of contract players, but the Newcastle boss was naturally keen to hang onto Fernandez.