Federico Fernandez reveals when Steve Bruce told him he was extending his Newcastle United contract

The Argentine, who has started the Magpies’ last 20 Premier League games, was out-of-contract this summer.

However, having established himself at the heart of the United defence, Steve Bruce opted to exercise a one-year option in his contract.

That means the defender will stay at St James's Park for a third successive season having joined from Swansea City in 2018.

Bruce said: "It's really good news to get Fede tied up. He has had a great season and richly deserves this recognition.

"He is a great professional. He trains and works incredibly hard for the team and he continues to be a positive influence around the place. We're delighted to have him."

The 59-year-old revealed on Friday the club had an option to extend Fernandez’s contract and said the situation would be addressed “over the next few weeks”.

But after keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory at Southampton on Saturday, discussions were brought forward after Fernandez revealed he was called into a meeting with Bruce on Tuesday morning.

“I'm very happy with the news - another year in the Premier League, with Newcastle,” Fernandez

“It's been a good time at the club, so when I spoke with the boss this morning and he told me the club wanted to do this, I told him that of course, for me and my family, it's good to know, and at this stage as well.

"Hopefully now we can push for the last few games to try to get more points, and I'm very happy about the news.

"To stay in the Premier League, to stay here and feel important, that for me is the main point - to be fit, try to help the club and try to push in every game I can play."

Fernandez, who has made 42 appearances for Newcastle in total, joins Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Martin Dubravka in those to extend their stays in the North East this season.