Weather update: It's raining contracts in Newcastle!

The majority of Newcastle fans have been left stunned by the announcement from the club that Ivory Coast midfielder Cheik Tiote has signed a new deal at the club.

To compound that shock, it was then announced that John Carver had also signed a new long term deal as assistant manager at the club. Two bits of fantastic news, both unexpected, to ease us into the weekend match against Bolton.

Tiote's deal will run until the summer of 2017 and is rumoured to be worth in the region of £50,000 a week. It's hard to knock that really as Cheik has been one of the outstanding performers of the season so far and has earned every penny of his pay rise.

Tiote spoke to the offcial club website and revealed how happy he is to have penned a new deal.

"I am very happy today to have signed this new deal with Newcastle United. The experience of playing in the Premier League has been better than I ever hoped it could be. This is a great club and the fans have been brilliant - I have never known support like it."

Alan Pardew then chipped in with his thoughts on the matter.

"Cheik has been immense for us this season and is exactly the type of player I want in my squad. He is fantastic on the pitch and in the changing room and is vital for everything we want to achieve."

"Cheik offers us strength and presence in midfield and has proved himself to be one of the best in his position in the Premier League. He's adapted brilliantly to the English game and I'm delighted he's signed a new deal with us today."

The good news keeps coming as well as it was revealed soon after the Tiote announcement that John Carver had signed a new five-and-a-half year deal with the club to ensure the management combination of Pardew/Carver will continue in the longer term.

Carver was only signed on a short-term deal in a sort of try before you buy kind of arrangement. It was the sensible move to be honest as neither party knew each other or knew if they would be able to work together. It would appear now that there are no concerns on that particular front.

"It was right for the manager to give me a short-term deal at the time, because I didn't know him and a lot of the players had changed too," said Carver. "But it's been a great month or so, and when he gave me the long-term deal I was delighted."

"I've been around the world over the last few years and need to settle down now, and where better than my home town club."

Pardew then added: "John returned here in January on a short-term contract to allow us to work together and get to know each other."

"It has been without doubt a huge success. I've really enjoyed working with John and I am delighted he has signed a new deal to make this a long-term partnership."

It's brilliant news, but let's be perfectly honest, a contract doesn't mean all that much these days. I don't want to piss on anyone's chips, but didn't Andy Carroll have a five year deal before he decided that he wanted out?

What this does mean though is that if Tiote ever does want out then any potential suitor will have to pay top dollar to Newcastle for his services. I'm delighted that he has signed, and Carver as well of course, but by no means does it guarantee that we have the service of either of them for the duration of their respective contracts.

Still, that can wait for another day.