Peter Whittingham extends Cardiff City contract

Peter Whittingham has scored 55 goals for Cardiff

Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has ended speculation about his future by signing a three-year contract extension.

Whittingham, 26, has attracted the attention of rival clubs after scoring 55 goals for the Bluebirds since 2007.

"There has been speculation about my future but hopefully today's news can put all that to bed," Whittingham told the Cardiff City website.

Whittingham's contract now runs until the summer of 2014.

Cardiff have previously rejected transfer bids for the former England under 21 international from Championship clubs Nottingham Forest and Burnley.

"I'm delighted to have signed an extension with the club - it's something I've wanted to do for some time as I've never had the desire to go elsewhere," said Whittingham, who signed for Cardiff in a cut-price £250,000 deal from Premier League side Aston Villa in January 2007.

Whittingham, who has already scored this season in a 3-1 Carling Cup win against Oxford United and from the penalty spot in the 3-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, said he is happy to be part of Cardiff boss Malky Mackay's new-look side.

"To know that the gaffer sees me as an important part of his squad is obviously pleasing," added Whittingham.

"I enjoy working for him and look forward to my future here at Cardiff City."

City boss Mackay said he was delighted Whittingham had committed his future to the club, and believes there is more to come from the midfielder.

"I'll certainly make commitments to him in terms of how much I'm going to be driving him and pushing him every day in training and in games to get the most out of him," said Mackay, who was appointed manager at the Cardiff City Stadium in June.

"I think he's a top, top player and I'm delighted that he's here."