STAR striker Jon Macken has signed a new four-year deal with Preston North End which will see him at Deepdale until the end of 2004.

The news ends speculation about his future following his goalscoring success last season -- culminating in being voted in the PFA team of the year.

However, after negotiations last week Jon Macken pledged his future to the club.

Speaking to the club's official website, he said he was delighted with the new deal.

He said: "I'm very happy. I only signed a new contract at the end of last season, but the club came to me and offered me a new one which I was very happy with and very proud to sign.

"Hopefully, I can put a little bit more back in to the club and we can go and do well this season.

"The club's going in the right direction and it will be a fantastic achievement if we can get in to the play-offs this season. I hope the fans are pleased, because I am, and I'm happy to be here." Chief Executive Tony Scholes said he was delighted Jon Macken had agreed the new deal. "We are delighted to secure the services of a such a talented player for such an extended period of time.

"Jon had two years left to run on his current deal, which would have taken him to the end of 2002, but the club thought it only right to step in and offer him a new contract after continued media speculation about his future and given the interest of other clubs."

He added: "This is also testimony to David Moyes and Preston North End, that a player of Jon's talent is prepared to commit his foreseeable future to the club.

"I am sure North End's fans will be as pleased with the news as I was."