DAN BURN is not due to become a free agent in the summer, with the centre-half having triggered a clause in his contract that will extend his stay at St James’ Park.

When Burn joined Newcastle in January 2022, he signed an initial two-and-a-half year contract that was due to expire at the end of this season.

That was extended last October, but the terms of the deal that was announced a year ago would have meant the defender becoming a free agent this summer unless he agreed an entirely new contract.

However, senior Newcastle sources have revealed that Burn’s contract contained a clause that would see it automatically extended if certain parameters were met.

That clause has now been triggered, meaning that the 32-year-old's future beyond the end of the season is no longer in doubt.

The news is significant as Burn’s fellow centre-halves, Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles, are all due to reach the end of their current deals at the end of the current campaign.

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Burn will be lining up against his former side tomorrow, with Brighton visiting St James’ Park, with Howe having been delighted by the defender’s impact since he returned to his native North-East.

“I'd say that Dan has surpassed expectations, and that's no slight on him when he came in,” said Howe. “It's an absolute compliment to how well he has done. I think he's been incredible for us.

“I knew Dan was a very good player having managed against him many times for Brighton and various other teams, but I didn't realise quite how good he was until managing him and seeing his effectiveness.

“The added bonus with Dan was always the Geordie perspective, the love for Newcastle just gave him an extra layer that we wouldn't have got from any other player signing in that position.

“He's managed to keep his place in the team and develop into a real leader for us and a real strong personality on and off the pitch - I can't speak highly enough of how he conducts himself. I think he's been an outstanding signing for us.”