Connor Wickham, Sunderland Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham has signed a new deal with the Black Cats that will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2019. The team announced the deal on the official website on Tuesday.

The new four-and-a-half-year contract for the 21-year-old Englishman signals his intent to stay in the north east in the long-term, his current contract having been set to expire at the end of the current season, per BBC Sport.

Wickham is reaping the rewards for a run of decent form in the side, his season-ending performances last term particularly catching the eye, and his new deal should be key for Sunderland in the future, per the Northern Echo's Scott Wilson:

The former Ipswich player bagged five goals in three games late on last season as Sunderland went on an extraordinary five-game unbeaten run—including victories against giants Manchester United and Chelsea—which saw them escape relegation despite the odds being stacked against them. 

He has scored twice in 15 Premier League appearances so far in the new season, per WhoScored.com, and boss Gus Poyet sees him as an important part of the Sunderland setup going forward, per the club's website:

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I’m delighted that Connor has committed his future to us for the next few years. After his contribution at the end of last year, he has 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.

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The Black Cats' next match is the visit of in-form West Ham on Saturday with Sunderland looking to pick up a much-needed win as they are currently just two points above the relegation zone.