Newcastle Falcons lock Andy Perry has signed a new two-year contract, keeping him at Kingston Park until the summer of 2010.

The former Royal Marine is currently in his third season with the Falcons, having made 58 starts and six bench appearances since joining the club from Plymouth Albion in 2005.

Director of rugby John Fletcher said: "Andy has improved year on year since he has been with us, and is currently playing the best rugby of his career.

"He is an outstanding person, a great character who contributes a lot to the squad and plays one of the most important positions on the pitch, so I'm delighted to have agreed this new deal."

Having signed on the dotted line, Perry said: "Newcastle is very much my home now, I feel like an adopted Geordie and I'm looking forward to the next two years at Kingston Park.

"Having started as a professional player late in life I perhaps have an advantage even at 33, in that I still feel fresh and ready for the challenge of Guinness Premiership and European rugby for a long time to come.

"The Falcons pack is improving all the time, and we have a great bunch of players here with a fantastic supportive atmosphere among the group.

"John Fletcher, Peter Walton and Steve Bates are very professional in the way they go about their business, they are committed to driving the club forward and I want to continue to be part of that progression."

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