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Newcastle United are understood to have activated a clause to retain Kevin Mbabu for a further two years after his initial deal came to an end.

Mbabu was signed from Servette in 2013 but did not make his first team debut until last season when he played against Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup before making his Premier League bow just a few days later against Chelsea in a 2-2 draw.

The Swiss defender is now contracted until 2018 yet could still be loaned out next season by the Magpies as he looks to get first team experience.

Before his new deal was confirmed, Mbabu is believed to have attracted interest from clubs in both Germany and France and a loan option to a foreign club next season may still materialise.

Fans would love to see Mbabu get his chance in the Sky Bet Championship but he would find himself further down the pecking order if Daryl Janmaat and Vurnon Anita contest the right-back slot and Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara remain at the club to battle for the left-back position.

United are set to announce their retained list in due course when Steven Taylor’s future will become clear.

Taylor is still on the payroll until June 30 and is waiting to see if he can earn a new deal.