Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini has insisted that he is fully focused on keeping the Magpies in the Premier League following his decision to commit to the club.
The Argentine defender was expected to leave the club this month after expressing a desire to return to South America for personal reasons, but following talks with the North-East outfit, Coloccini has opted to stay put until the end of the season.
"The last few weeks there has been a lot of talk about my future," Coloccini told the club's official website. "But I am staying here. And of course I will give 100% like I always do.
"I have been here five years and Newcastle has given me a lot and done a lot for me. I have to be true to the club. I will give 100%. I love football and once I am on the pitch it is different. The problems I have are outside the pitch.
"I heard in the city and around the club that the fans think I have my head elsewhere thinking about other things, or that I am not the same player as last season. The fans have to know and be sure that when I am the field I give 100%. I am the captain of the team and I take the responsibility."
The 31-year-old has been at St James's Park since 2008.
Danielle Joynson
