Nile's Smiles After New Deal

By Dan King

Young Newcastle striker Nile Ranger admits he is "buzzing" after signing a new long-term contract with the club.

The 19-year-old striker joined The Magpies in the summer of 2008, and has agreed a new five-and-a-half year deal at St. James' Park.

London-born Ranger impressed during last season's Championship-winning campaign, earning a number of starts and excelling as an impact substitute, and grabbed two important goals in the second half of the season.

This year, he netted against Chelsea in the Carling Cup and has been a regular member of Chris Hughton's squad this term.

After putting pen to paper on the contract, which will tie him to the club until June 2016, the England under-19 international said: "I'm absolutely buzzing.

"I'm loving it at Newcastle. I really feel I can develop here and I can only learn from some of the players here.

"The fans have been great with me from day one, and even though I'd spent my whole life down south until I came here, this feels like home now."

United boss Chris Hughton added: "Nile is a young player who is improving all the time. It's less than 18 months since he made his first-team debut and he's coming on in leaps and bounds.

"Just as we have already done with Andy Carroll, we're keen to keep our young talent at this football club and agreeing such a long-term deal with Nile is good news for all concerned. We look forward to helping him to mature and become a key player for us in the future."