NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) - England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson signed a new two-year contract with Newcastle Falcons on Monday.

Wilkinson, 28, was in the final year of his current deal with the Premiership team and there were fears he would quit after fitness coach Steve Black, a close friend of the World Cup winner, left the club recently.

But despite several tempting offers he has agreed to extend his stay at Kingston Park. Falcons director of rugby John Fletcher said: "This is a massive endorsement of where we are going as a club.

"It's no secret that Jonny has had offers from elsewhere, but this is where he sees his rugby future with the huge amount of talent and ambition at the club."

Wilkinson has been at Newcastle for 11 seasons, making 163 appearances, and he is only nine points short of reaching the 2000 mark for the club.

"He is the biggest name in rugby, still the best player in the world in my opinion, and the fact that he wants to stay at Newcastle sends out a clear message about where this club is going and how close it is to his heart," Fletcher added.

"This is his home, it's where his pals are and it's where he believes he can fulfil his rugby ambitions, as well as helping the team reach its collective goals.

"Kevin Keegan returning to Newcastle United and Jonny Wilkinson staying at the Falcons - it doesn't get much bigger than that if you're a sports fan in this region."