Fulham's Hangeland signs new deal

After months of speculation, Brede Hangeland has finally signed an extension to his contract at Fulham, agreeing to an added two years.

The Norwegian has been courted by various Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as his contract wound down to its end in June.

And with his agent refusing to detail the likelihood of negotiations being successful, many thought that this could well have been Hangeland's last season at Craven Cottage.

However, with his new deal in place, the defender was keen to stress that it was always his intention to sign.

"It's taken a long time," he said, in an interview with fulhamfc.com, "but we're there now and I hope the club is happy.

"I'm certainly really happy to have signed.

"I've loved my time at Fulham. It's been a little over five years and I've felt right at home just from the very first game and I couldn't really see myself leaving."

Despite his assertions, the worry has always been that a bigger club would snatch him from our weakening grasp.

The current captain, he has proved influential in each of the six campaigns he has participated in - including our great escape in 2008 and the heroic Europa League adventure of 2010.

His form has dipped slightly in more recent times but in a renewed partnership with Philippe Senderos, Hangeland has been back at his best and, now 31, looks as assured as ever.

We can now all look forward to another two years of great service.