The party can continue for Norwich City after Alex Tettey signed a new two-year contract to stay with the club.

City's 32-year-old retired Norway midfielder was expected to leave this summer once his contract expired – something the man himself admitted just before the turn of the year.

That would have ended an association with Norfolk that has lasted almost six years.

However, with City putting a two-year deal on the table – albeit at significantly reduced wages – Tettey has opted to remain where he and his family have been since the summer of 2012, and in turn offer a younger City squad his sizeable experience.

'I'm very happy to have signed because since I've been here, I've enjoyed myself,' said Tettey.

Eastern Daily Press: Alex Tettey secured a famous Norwich City win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League and helped the Canaries to Wembley promotion since joining the club. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus ImagesAlex Tettey secured a famous Norwich City win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League and helped the Canaries to Wembley promotion since joining the club. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: �Focus Images Limited www.focus-images.co.uk +447814 482222)

'It's been a couple of months where there has been a lot of thinking with my family, so I'm pleased it is now done. Norwich is a family club and that suits me a lot.

'The coach's philosophy is very good. We have learned a lot from this season. Next season, we will be even better because everyone will know what he wants from us.

'Hopefully that will get us firing from the beginning of the season.

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'It means a lot coming from the club that they want me to be here after being here for so long. I love the fans, the way the club has been driven, the people. It's more like a family club and I think it suits me a lot.

'I'm experienced enough to understand what football is about. It's not just about training and games, there's more to it from the outside as well. It's something I understand more of now with my experience.'

Head coach Daniel Farke added: 'It's good news for the group, for the club and for Alex.

'I'm happy we've worked it out because it was a big change last summer, and we want to keep our key group of players this summer and 100pc Alex is one of our key players.

'We have such a young group so we need some leadership and experienced players who are able to lead this group and to help the young lads to develop and 100pc Alex is capable of doing this.

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'I can always count on him during games, and we have a good record when he's on the pitch.

'In the dressing room and in training he's important and he's got an outstanding personality. He's motivated in every training session and always helping the lads, and he calms us down in difficult situations. It's important to have a player like him in terms of leadership.

'He's been an important member of the club for several years. He has a strong identification with the club and with the supporters and we need this type of player, who is desperate to play for this club.

'Even if he's not in the starting XI he's always supporting us, and always desperate that we're successful. I'm really happy he's signed a new contract.'

With Norwich preparing for their first season without any Premier League or parachute payment revenue since 2011, an income drop of more than £30m this summer was expected to end any hopes City could afford to keep Tettey on – and in turn help lead what is expected to be a much younger Championship squad next term.

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Tettey may have found any potential offers short of what he had hoped for, but two years of security at the club he has called home no doubt helped convince the Norwegian to remain at the club he was brought to by Chris Hughton, while the Canaries were settled in the Premier League.

Tettey has made 177 appearances for City, scoring six goals since joining from Rennes for a fee of around £3m.

And there have been 21 league starts this term, all coming once Farke threw him into his first-team mix after a difficult August initiation.

On the day another out of contract player in Wes Hoolahan signed off at Carrow Road, Tettey missed out with a back injury in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Leeds.

Goalkeeper Paul Jones, who has spent the second half of the season on loan at Exeter, is now the only remaining out of contract player this summer whose future is yet to be confirmed.

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