Newcastle United: Papiss Cisse Commits to the Magpies Long-Term

Good news, Newcastle fans.

According to Sky Sports, Papiss Demba Cisse has committed long-term to his future at the club, ending any speculation that he could be leaving after a breakout few months in the Premier League.

The striker had this to say to Sky Sports about his decision:

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"I am very happy in Newcastle and I want to stay there for many years. We were close to a Champions League position so next season hopefully we will qualify for that and everyone will taste the Champions League, I am looking forward to next season."

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Though the Senegalese forward appeared to thoroughly enjoy his first few months on Tyneside, there was always a worry that he could find a bigger club like Manchester City a little more attractive.

Luckily, Europa League football and the promise of much more high-level competition in the future was enough to persuade him to stay.

It cannot be dismissed just how important this decision was for the Magpies, because this is the man whose arrival kept the season alive back in January.

Cisse single-handedly carried the attack for a few games down the stretch as well, with compatriot Demba Ba struggling late in the season.

After his showing last year, there's no reason Cisse can't score 20 or so goals in a full campaign, including some all-time classics like his second against Chelsea.

If Newcastle are seriously going to challenge for a trophy next season, the £10 million man is going to be a key part of any run they make, as he can cause some serious problems for the opposition's defence.

Newcastle are still waiting on Cisse's strike partner Demba Ba to make a decision regarding his own future, as his supposed £7 million release clause has led many to question whether or not Newcastle's top goalscorer has a future on Tyneside.

Negotiating a way out of the clause is almost definitely next on the checklist for Alan Pardew and his staff, because if they can convince both strikers to stay long-term, Newcastle will be more than ready for anything any Premier League defence throws at them in 2012-13.

As Seen On FTBPro and The Spectator's View.