Northampton Town capture Newcastle defender Ben Tozer

Tozer scored in his last Cobblers game, a 2-1 win at Morecambe

Northampton Town have signed defender Ben Tozer on a two-year deal following his release from Newcastle.

The 21-year-old will return to Sixfields after a 34-game loan spell with the Cobblers last season, in which he scored three goals.

He was already at the club when Gary Johnson was appointed manager in March.

"I'm really pleased I didn't make a decision too early and gave him a chance, he came up trumps," Johnson told BBC Radio Northampton.

Newcastle laid out £250,000 on the centre-half when they signed him from Swindon three and a half years ago.

He went on to make just one League Cup start and one Championship substitute appearance for the Magpies.

Despite being a defender, Tozer was used in a holding midfield role towards the back end of last season, and Johnson may continue to use him in that position.

He said: "He did win me over. When I came to the club, he's only a young lad and inexperienced, I didn't feel he was quite dominant enough as a centre-back.

"I had a little inclination he might play centre midfield. He's got good feet, vision and that Premiership athleticism.

"With a bit more oomph he can play centre-half, but with his footballing ability, he can play centre-midfield.

"I think he is ideally suited to a defensive midfield role and I thought he was excellent in the last two matches of the season."