Elliott signs new Sunderland deal

Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott signed a one-year contract extension before jetting off on the club's North American tour today.

The 21-year-old, who scored 16 goals in his first season at the Stadium of Light as the Black Cats claimed the Coca-Cola Championship title, has been rewarded for his efforts with a new deal.

Elliott penned a three-year contract when he joined the club from Manchester City last summer, but will now remain on board until 2008.

“I am delighted we have secured Stephen’s signature for a further year,” manager Mick McCarthy told the club’s official website, www.safc.com.

“He proved last season how valuable he can be and he is a major part of my plans, so we are naturally thrilled that he has committed himself to the club until 2008.”

Elliott joins injury-plagued midfielder Matt Piper in committing himself to the club for a further 12 months.

Piper, 23, who has managed only 24 appearances for the Black Cats since his £3.5m arrival from Leicester in the summer of 2002, has agreed an extension which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2008, although in effect, he will now be paid the salary he would have been due over the final two years of his existing deal over three instead.

Piper was among the 21-man party which jetted off on the club’s pre-season tour to North America this morning having worked hard throughout the summer to make himself available.