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• Sunderland

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• Liam Lawrence

Sunderland midfielder Liam Lawrence has signed a new four-year contract with the North East club.

The former Mansfield Town man - who joined The Black Cats in a £175,000 deal two years ago - will remain at The Stadium of Light until the summer of 2010.

The 24-year-old's previous deal had a year to run, but new Sunderland boss Niall Quinn was keen to keep Lawrence long-term.

After signing his new contract, the midfielder stated his hope of playing a key part in Quinn's squad this season.

"Niall [Quinn] has been 100 percent behind me with everything he has done since he came here," Lawrence told the club's official website.

"I feel he believes in me and that he will give me a chance. I want to repay him now.

"Our aim next season is winning promotion and I think we can do it. A lot of us have done it before and we're confident."