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Andy Lonergan has committed his future to Preston North End by signing a new contract with the Championship outfit.

The 25-year-old keeper has penned a contract extension which could keep him at the club until the summer of 2013.

Lonergan made his North End debut as a 16-year-old and has blossomed to become one of Preston's key players.

The keeper has revealed the negotiations were wrapped up swiftly and he is delighted to have put pen-to-paper.

"It's been in the pipeline a while, he told the club's official website. "My contract was due to run out at the end of the season and this was something that the club and myself were keen to do. We went into negotiations last week and it is all done now which is pretty quick.

"With not having long left on the contract you start to wonder what might happen but there was never any thought of leaving.

"With a free transfer at the end of the season you become appealing to a lot of clubs but for me it was always about staying here and wanting to get this done as soon as possible."

Lilywhites boss Alan Irvine added: "He's a very important player for us so I am absolutely delighted. He's probably one of the best goalkeepers in our division, he's a player who is continuing to get better, he's got a great future ahead of him and I'm delighted that it's with us.

"I certainly think that his best is yet to come. I have every confidence that he will be a top goalkeeper for a long, long time to come."

Eurosport