Fabricio Coloccini RETAINS Newcastle Captaincy As He Signs Contract Extension
It seems Captain Colo is staying after all.
Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini has ended all speculation about his future by signing a contract extension which commits him to the Magpies until at least 2017. Despite being constantly linked with Greek side Olympiacos and with a reunion with former boss Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace all summer, Coloccini has signed a one-year extension to his contract, with the option of a second, and retains the captain's armband. Pardew and Palace took the bizarre step of releasing an official statement denying any interest in Coloccini on Wednesday, and the very next day the 33-year-old Argentine has signed a new deal at Newcastle, with his previous contract having been set to expire next summer. 
"I am very happy to have signed a new contract. I have been here for seven years and I love this club. I feel part of the family at Newcastle United. "Headlines and speculation are normal when a player only has one year left on their contract, but the club have shown they want to keep me and that has made me feel very happy and very proud. "I am also very happy to continue as the captain of this football club. Captaining Newcastle makes me so proud. I am not from this city or this country, and so to be given the responsibility of wearing the armband every week is a very special thing."The Argentine failed to play a single minute of pre-season football. However, Steve McClaren how now confirmed Coloccini will continue to wear the captains armband at St James Park. In fact, the Newcastle head coach believes Coloccini's "stand out character" makes him perfect captaincy material. He said (NUFC.co.uk):
"From day one at the club, Fabricio has been a stand-out character and I'm delighted we have secured his future with us. "Once we sat down together to iron things out, I knew straight away his heart was with the club and the new contract was agreed very quickly. "Fabricio is my captain. He is a leader, hugely respected throughout the club and a top-class player on top of that."For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.