Newcastle United trigger deal for 'incredible' defender as nine players set to leave in 2025 - as it stands

The Blyth-born defender joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2022 for £13million, initially signing a two-and-a-half-year contract before the club announced in October last year Burn had penned fresh terms until 2025.

That meant Burn was due to be out-of-contract at the end of the current campaign, however it has since been clarified that the 32-year-old is under employment until next season after activating an automatic extension.

"The contract has been activated quite a while," Burn told reporters after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat Brighton. "For some reason it’s only coming out now.

“I’ve always said that I want to be here as long as possible so to activate that side of it obviously gives me a bit more security. But I want more and I’d love to be here longer.

"I’d love to finish my career here. I’ve moved home, my kids are back with their family and get to see them a lot, that was always the plan.

"We’ve got very good players here and we are going in that upward trajectory so I’ve just got to try and keep going as long as I can.

"I feel like I’ve been playing well this season. I’m not going to be a player that’s just happy to be here and be a good trainer and sit on the bench - I want to play and believe I’m good enough to play.

"I honestly feel like I’m still getting better and have more improvement to make. I’ve got a load of games under my belt so that experience helps as well.

"I don’t feel as if I’m starting to decline or anything, I’m still fit, healthy and feel I’m playing a big role.”

There are, however, still nine players - as it stands - out of contract this summer.