Brede Hangeland ends speculation over his future after agreeing new contract with Fulham

Defender has signed a two-year deal

Brede Hangeland The Fulham captain could prove to be an astute bit of business either now or in the summer for clubs seeking defensive reinforcements and Cottagers fans will be alarmed that one of their star men has not been signed up as yet, (GETTY IMAGES)

Brede Hangeland will delight Fulham fans today with the announcement that he has signed a new contract, ending months of speculation about his future.

The club captain has been a key player for the Cottagers since he was signed by Roy Hodgson in January 2008, and a new two-year deal, with the option of a third, is a deserved reward for the Norwegian and a great relief for manager Martin Jol.

The Dutch coach revealed last month that an agreement was close, and the news will come as a welcome boost ahead of their west London derby with relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers on Monday.

"I'm so happy, delighted," Hangeland said on fulhamfc.com.

"It's taken a long time but we're there now and I hope the club is happy - I'm certainly really happy to have signed.

"I've loved my time with Fulham. It's been a little over five years and I've felt right at home from the very first game.

"I couldn't really see myself leaving, so to finally have signed gives me a great feeling."

Jol will hope his signing will be the first of many, as the club have a number of players available to leave on a free transfer in the summer, and unless this starts a domino effect, Fulham may find themselves with a depleted squad going into the pre-season programme.

Fulham players out of contract in 2013: Mladen Petric, Mark Schwarzer, Chris Baird, Mahamadou Diarra, Giorgos Karagounis, Neil Etheridge.