Bellamy bonus for Newcastle

Welsh international Craig Bellamy has signed a new contract at Newcastle United FC which will keep him at the Premiership club until the end of the 2006/07 season.

Champions League return
Bellamy, 23, joined Newcastle from Coventry City FC for €9.4m in June 2001 and, in partnership with captain Alan Shearer, has spearheaded the club's return to the UEFA Champions League after claiming fourth place in the Premiership last season.

Crucial winners
He has continued his fine form this term, scoring the winning goal for Wales in their 2-1 UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying victory against Italy in October. He repeated the feat in the final minute of the Champions League triumph at Feyenoord on Matchday 6; a win which secured Newcastle's second group stage place despite having lost their opening three games.

Easy decision
"I believe the club is on the verge of winning things and I want to be part of it," Bellamy said. "The decision to commit myself to Newcastle United was an easy one. We have a talented young squad, an excellent manager and backroom staff, and the fans are fantastic."

Two suspensions
However, Bellamy's season has been tainted by two three-match Champions League suspensions. He will be eligible to return against Internazionale FC on Matchday 11 after he was sent off against the Italian side for kicking Marco Materazzi in an off-the-ball incident in the opening game of the second group stage.