Rio Ferdinand has finally put pen-to-paper on a new contract to end speculation over his future with Manchester United.
The defender's new deal keeps him at Old Trafford until June 2009 and is believed to be worth £100,000-per-week.
The 26-year-old has been booed by sections of United fans during pre-season over his failure to sign the contract offered to him by the club at the end of last season. The supporters were angry at what they perveived to be a lack of loyalty on Ferdinand's part after United stood by him following his eight-month suspension for missing a drugs test.
However, Ferdinand told United's website: "I said all along that I wanted to stay at the club and this has now put that issue to bed.
"I’m looking forward to the start of what I expect will be a great season.
"It’s good to get this matter out of the way to allow me to concentrate on playing for United."
While manager Sir Alex Ferguson explained that negotiations take time and insist talks have always been "conducted in good spirit".
"It’s great news that Rio has agreed a contract. The reality of negotiations today is that they take time," said Ferguson.
"But these have always been conducted in a good spirit and we are very pleased with the outcome. We can now look forward to the future."