**It has recently been reported that Sandro Tonali signed a contract extension at Newcastle United during the period he was serving his 10-month ban for breaching gambling rules.**
Given that Tonali was about to miss 10 months of football for Newcastle shortly after signing, committing to another year just seemed like the right thing to do.
It's actually impressive that the contract extension managed to go unreported until now.
However, it's still believed that Tonali is in line for another new deal, this time to increase his wages as a reflection of his importance to the club, but at least now we know that the clock on this one isn't going to be an issue.
Sandroooooo
Eddie Howe praises Sandro Tonali's character amid contract extension admission
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Speaking to the media this morning (h/t [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eddie-howe-live-press-conference-32738530)), Eddie Howe confirmed that the deal was signed and that other things happened behind the scenes during that period.
> "That is correct. A lot happened the time when he was banned. A lot of discussions between Sandro's representatives and the football club at the time. There was the contract situation with the sacrificial money Sandro volunteered, which spoke volumes of his character. How he conducted himself around that time was brilliant and he has been brilliant since he come back.
>
> "It is a two-way thing. Sandro has felt the love from everyone connected to the club. That support helped him with his return to football too and he needed at that time and now we are seeing the benefits on the pitch. It is easy to forget everything he went through at that time."
Sandro Tonali has been hailed as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League
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It has been an amazing comeback from Tonali, who has put everything into the game since his return, and, as Eddie says, he and Newcastle are reaping those rewards.
He's become such an important player for Newcastle, and many people, including pundits with no connection to Newcastle, have touted him as being one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Sandro Tonali is the type of player you build a team around, and it seems that Eddie Howe is doing just that.