Colo has Fab news for Toon

FABRICIO COLOCCINI has revealed he WILL be at Newcastle next season after admitting defeat in his attempts to go home.

The Toon captain, 31, first expressed his desire to return to Argentina in January, citing family reasons.

Boss Alan Pardew persuaded Coloccini to stay on Tyneside until at least the end of the campaign when his future would again be discussed.

Argie outfit San Lorenzo hoped to sign Newcastle’s star centre-half this summer after failing to land him on a free last transfer window.

But Coloccini has now ended all the speculation over his future and given a huge boost to Pards and Toon fans.

Speaking to Argentine TV, he said: “I have talked many times with San Lorenzo about moving back with them.

“My desire is to move back but that¹s not going to happen next season.

“I didn’t move to San Lorenzo last season because Newcastle didn’t want me to leave.

“I’m not going to move to San Lorenzo now because Newcastle don’t want me to go. I have to respect that decision.

“I’m a grateful person and Newcastle have given me the opportunity of playing in the Premier League, which is the elite of football — so I will stay at Newcastle.”

Coloccini still has three years left on his current contract but became unsettled last term with his wife and children now living back in Argentina.

Pardew has publicly admitted several times that keeping hold of the defender was one of his main aims this summer.

He has been looking at other options at centre-half including FC Twente’s Douglas and Alex Pearce from Reading, who would both be available on a free.

But Coloccini and Steven Taylor look set to start the season as Pardew's first-choice pairing, with Taylor yesterday pledging his long-term future to the club.

The England defender, 27, said: “Being at Newcastle is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

“I am still living the dream of every young lad that is in this city.