CONNOR WICKHAM has ended speculation over his future by signing a new four-year deal that commits him to Sunderland until 2019.

Wickham, who arrived on Wearside in a much-trumpeted £8.1m deal from Ipswich Town in 2011, was due to become a free agent at the end of the season.

A series of talks in the summer failed to result in an agreement over a new deal, despite Gus Poyet's admission that Sunderland could be forced to sell the 21-year-old if he did not put pen to paper before the end of the last transfer window in January.

That did not happen, and further negotiations have resulted in a deal that ensures the Black Cats will not lose one of their prize assets for nothing next summer.

Wickham has played in all 15 of Sunderland's Premier League games so far this term, and was a key part of the club’s 'Great Escape' at the end of last season, scoring five goals in four games.

He scored the opener in last week's home defeat to Manchester City, and has impressed this season despite spending a large amount of time in a wide position on the left.

"I’m delighted that Connor has committed his future to us for the next few years," said Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet. "After his contribution at the end of last year, he continued to improve his football and become an important part of our team.

"He keeps learning, he is able to adapt to different positions up front and he is enjoying our philosophy of play so I’m really looking forward to keep working with him for the benefit of our club.

"I think it was very important to tie down a young English centre forward as there are not many around, this shows clearly the way this football club wants to progress."