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Richard Stearman signs new Wolves deal

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Wolves defender Richard Stearman today ended any debate about his future by signing a new two-year contract.

The 26-year-old centre-back has committed his future to the Molineux cause to 2016 after weeks of talks.

Stearman joins fellow long-serving team-mate Dave Edwards in agreeing to stay and insists he always intended to stay as he looked forward to the challenge of the Championship again.

"I'm delighted to have signed," said Stearman.

"It's been going on for the last few weeks and I'm happy we've got it over the line and I'm really looking forward to next season now.

"There was never any doubt from me about wanting to stay here.

"I was able to speak to other parties, but once the gaffer had initiated he wanted me to stay, I was always more than willing.

"I've been delighted with how things have gone over the last season and am delighted to still be here."

Stearman admitted he considered leaving a year ago when he finished the season on loan at Ipswich.

But he said head coach Kenny Jackett persuaded him to stay at Molineux.

"Maybe this time last year it looked as if I might be moving on, but I did always want to stay here and the gaffer wanted me to stay and things went really well from there," he said.

"You just look around the place and the facilities and it's good enough to be a Premier League club, even if we're not there at the moment.

"That's where we're striving to be and I want to be a part of that."

Wolverhampton-born Stearman has made 186 appearances since joining Wolves from Leicester for around £1.6m six years ago.

And he is looking to lead Jackett's young side after forming a solid partnership alongside Danny Batth last season.

"I hope I'm going to be a good role model like last year, on and off the pitch," he said.

"I'd like to think I'm well respected within the dressing room and it's up to me to make sure that continues.

"As a centre half in particular you tend not to hit your peak until maybe even a few more years yet.

"I think sometimes people forget how young I still am at 26 and I definitely feel I've got a lot more mileage in me yet.

"I'm really pleased to say that's going to be with Wolves for the next couple of seasons at least."