Newcastle United trigger contract of key defender as Eddie Howe underlines importance of star


Newcastle United star Dan Burn has triggered a contract extension at St James' Park. The 32-year-old signed for Newcastle in 2022 as one of the first signings after the takeover with the £13million man proving to be a key man for Eddie Howe. He will 33 at the end of the campaign but will remain at the club beyond this term and has a contract for 2025/26.

Howe, speaking at his pre-match Press conference ahead of the clash against his old club, said he has proved he was more than just a signing to help keep Newcastle in the Premier League two years ago.

The head coach said: "I'd say so and that's no slight on Dan when he came in, it's an absolute complement to how well he has done. I think he's been incredible for us.

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"I knew Dan was a very good player having managed against him many times for Brighton and various other teams but I didn't realise quite how good he was until managing him and seeing his effectiveness.

"The added bonus with Dan was always the Geordie perspective, the love for Newcastle just gave him an extra layer that we wouldn't have got from any other player signing in that position."

Burn has captained the club on numerous occasions, scored in the Champions League and netted an important goal against Leicester on the run to the Carabao Cup final in 2023.

He said: "He's managed to keep his place in the team and develop into a real leader for us and a real strong personality on and off the pitch - I can't speak highly enough of how he conducts himself. I think he's been an outstanding signing for us. I see Dan being an integral part of what we're doing."