Andy Carroll is pleased to see Matty Longstaff finally commit to a new deal at Newcastle United - and admits he had been trying to persuade the youngster to sign.
Longstaff's contract expired at the start of the month and after months of negotiations in which other clubs were linked to the North Shield's born midfielder, a new two-year-deal was finally agreed.
Carroll speaking at Newcastle United's pre-season training camp in York revealed that he may have had a hand in drawing the saga to a close.
"I'm delighted," Carroll told NUFC TV when asked about his feelings on Longstaff's new deal. "I've been in his ear from the beginning trying to get him to sign.
"He's a great player and it's brilliant to see him back with the lads and with the deal done."
Longstaff travelled down to York to meet up with his teammates and join the squad which includes new signing Mark Gillespie and loan returnee Jacob Murphy, both new faces for Carroll to get to know.
"Just being around everyone again, in the hotel spending time it's been brilliant.
"Obviously for me, we spend Friday nights [usually during the season] in the hotel together but never weeks like this so it's my first time with the lads [in pre-season] as well - the bonding is great.
"Mark has fitted straight in, he knows some of the lads, and has been here before so for him it's brilliant.
"We've got Murp back as well - I've never had much time with him and it's great to have him as part of the team as well."
