MARTIN DUBRAVKA has described how the role of the fans and the future prospects of Newcastle United helped persuade him it was the perfect place to commit his future.

The Slovakian goalkeeper became the Magpies’ first summer signing when his loan deal from Sparta Prague became permanent in a £4m deal.

A full-time switch was always going to be on the cards after an impressive spell, provided the player himself wanted to and that terms could be agreed on the four-year deal he has penned.

Now he is desperate to help Newcastle improve on the tenth place finish that was delivered last time around, with huge contributions from Dubravka during his half-season loan.

Dubravka said: “I’m very excited for next season. It is a great dressing room with great players who helped me a lot.

“I’m looking forward to the new season, to sticking together and having the fans with us.

“I’m very proud and very pleased to be a part of the club and I’m very happy that I have my future here.

“It’s hard to put it into words because it’s something special. It means a lot. When I arrived on loan in January, I already knew Newcastle United was a great club with amazing fans. The first game helped a lot in a new team.

“Nobody knew who I was and then suddenly I was playing against Manchester United with my team-mates.”

Newcastle’s supporters took Dubravka to their hearts as soon as he starred in that victory over Manchester United.

Benitez had been desperate to sign a new goalkeeper, dating back to last summer following promotion from the Championship, and few supporters knew of the 29-year-old before his impressive displays.

Dubravka told Newcastle’s website: “I really appreciate the way the fans supported us, home and away.

“I’ve never seen anything like that before. They give us energy and that helps us to play well and give 100 per cent. I’m happy that I can be part of that relationship.

“The last game against Chelsea, I’ve never had that feeling. It was something special. I didn’t want to walk away, I wanted to stay and enjoy it.”

Newcastle are looking to follow the signing of Dubravka with more, particularly in the final third where they have lost Islam Slimani. He is unlikely to return after his loan from Leicester.

Aleksandar Mitrovic knows that he could leave, with Fulham preparing an offer between £15-20m after promotion, and that would leave Newcastle with just Dwight Gayle and Joselu as the recognised strikers at Benitez’s disposal.

The other loan signing, Kenedy, is still a Chelsea player and is now wanted by many Champions League clubs after impressing on Tyneside.