Michael Dawson Signs 3-Year Contract Extension with Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham stalwart Michael Dawson has reached an agreement with the Premier League club on a three-year contract extension that will keep him at White Hart Lane through 2016.

The club made the announcement one day before a match with West Ham United. Spurs and their captain will be looking to build off a strong start, putting them in position to add more memories to a growing list during Dawson's tenure, as per the Spurs' statement:

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The popular centre-half was a key member of the squad that secured our first top-four Premier League finish in 2010 and then reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League the following season, proudly leading the team out at the San Siro in our memorable win over AC Milan and the Bernabeu.

Capped four times by England, Daws has made a total of 293 career appearances in our colours to date and scored 10 times.

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Dawson has already appeared in 10 matches across all competitions for Tottenham this season. The reliable defender has been a crucial steadying presence for a side that went through a lot of change over the summer.

The 29-year-old England international, along with Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose, give Tottenham stability at the back that few Premier League clubs can match. And it's paying off in a big way so far this season.

Spurs currently sit just two points off the pace of Arsenal in the race for the top spot. Dawson has continued to play a key role on defense, giving the club confidence he can remain a key cog for at least three more seasons.

He doesn't always get the credit he deserves due to the star power around him. But the captaincy and now the contract extension demonstrate that Tottenham know exactly how important he is to their success right now.

That should remain the case through 2016. Dawson has found his comfort zone at White Hart Lane and Spurs aren't about to let him get away.