Boa Morte pens new Fulham contract
 |  Boa Morte has decided to remain with Fulham for another three seasons |
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Portugal winger Luis Boa Morte has snubbed an approach from Newcastle to commit himself to Fulham until 2008, the London club have announced.
Fulham manager Chris Coleman voiced his relief at hanging on to a player he describes as crucial to the club.
"I am delighted that, after lengthy negotiations, Luis has signed an extension," Coleman said.
"I have made no secret of Boa's importance to the squad and obviously after the speculation that has surrounded the last few weeks I am even more happy that we have finally managed to put pen to paper."
Newcastle confirmed last week that they were interested in signing Boa Morte and had been prepared to offer up to three players -- Olivier Bernard, Titus Bramble and Lee Bowyer -- as part of an exchange-plus-cash deal.
Boa Morte, whose previous contract was due to expire in the summer, added: "I have been at Fulham for a number of years now and I enjoy my football here; I am happy that we have reached an agreement to enable me to remain a Fulham player and I am looking forward to the remainder of the season."
Boa Morte originally moved to the Premiership when he joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in 1997.
He failed to make the grade at Highbury and was offloaded to Southampton two years later before joining Fulham in July 2000 on a loan deal that became permanent a year later. He has scored 35 goals in 106 Premiership appearances for Fulham.
