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Sunderland have secured their most important signing of the summer by tying Gus Poyet to the club until 2016.
In effect, it's only actually a one-year extension, but what it should do is end the speculation about the Uruguayan's immediate future, which for one reason or another has been rampant since the end of the season.
Poyet was tentatively linked with West Ham United when Sam Allardyce's job looked in peril and was installed as a front-runner for the Southampton job by some bookmakers and newspapers too. That should have all been put to bed now,
After signing his new deal, Poyet told the official site:
I am delighted to extend my stay with Sunderland AFC, after an unbelievable season and our famous great escape.
Stability is absolutely key to long-term and sustained success for any football club, and this new contract gives both the club and me that stability going forward.
Now it's a different challenge for me and the club and I am relishing the next stage with Sunderland. We achieved so much last season, working together - the club and the fans - and we took many good memories from the season.
The prospect of creating more of those memories is one which excites me, and now I cannot wait for the next chapter in my career and the history of Sunderland AFC.
The club have also confirmed that Poyet's current backroom staff will also continue in their roles, whilst sporting director Lee Congerton insists that summer recruitment plans are "well underway".
It seems the summer is getting interesting in double quick time this year.
