Leicester City central defender Gerry Taggart has signed a three-year contract that will keep him at the club until summer 2003.

The Northern Ireland international hinted over the weekend after the win against Southampton he was close to finalising a deal and yesterday he put pen to paper.

It is the latest boost for manager Peter Taylor who has also persuaded Matt Elliott, Neil Lennon and Muzzy Izzet to sign longterm deals since replacing Martin O'Neill.

Taggart was City's player of the year last season but had stalled on agreeing new terms after opening talks with O'Neill in April.

Now everything is to the satisfaction of the 29-year-old whose outstanding form earned him an international recall after a two-year absence.