The Argentina international Jonás Gutiérrez has signed a new contract ties him to Newcastle United until 2015.

The 28-year-old former Real Mallorca midfielder had two years of his existing deal still to run, but a new four-year agreement will secure his future on Tyneside after a summer of speculation that he could join the exodus of big-name players.

Gutiérrez said: "I have said many times that I love playing for Newcastle. I love the city, the fans and the team, so I had no hesitation in signing a new contract.

Gutiérrez arrived on Tyneside during the summer of 2008 in what proved to be a problematical transfer with the Magpies believing they had snapped him up on a free transfer after the player had bought himself out of his existing deal.

The clubs eventually settled after a lengthy dispute and, although Gutiérrez's first season in England ended in relegation, he stayed to help them fight their way back into the Premier League and was one of their key men last season.

He has played his part in a fine start to the new campaign, in which the Magpies sit fourth in the table and are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions.

Gutiérrez said: "It has been a good start to the season and this is a great place to be. I am proud that the manager and the board see me as part of the long-term future of Newcastle. I have always given my best here and I will always do that."