Sunderland: Connor Wickham signs new deal until 2019

Connor Wickham has scored three times for Sunderland this season

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham has signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal.

The England Under-21 forward was in the final season of the four-year contract he signed on his arrival from Ipswich for £8.1m in June 2011.

Wickham, 21, has scored three times this season, taking his tally to 12 goals in 67 games for the Black Cats.

"I think it was very important to tie down a young English centre forward as there are not many around," said Sunderland boss Gus Poyet.

"This shows clearly the way this football club wants to progress."

Wickham had loan spells with Championship clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United last season before returning to the Stadium of Light and playing a key role as Sunderland stayed in the Premier League.

He scored five goals in three games in April - both Sunderland's goals in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City, one in the 2-1 victory at Chelsea and two in the 4-0 home win over Cardiff - as the Black Cats avoided relegation by five points.

That run of form helped Wickham win the Premier League's Player of the Month award for April.