Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele has signed a new contract that ties him to the club until 2019.
Dembele, 28, joined Spurs from Fulham in 2012 and while he initially struggled to establish himself at White Hart Lane, he has become a key member of Mauricio Pochettino's first team this season.
We're delighted to announce that @mousadembele has signed a new contract with the Club, which will run until 2019. pic.twitter.com/EGGtPs2SBD
- Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 29, 2016
Sources told ESPN FC in November that Spurs were planning talks over an extension and he has now put pen to paper on a new deal.
"I am very happy I've signed and I'm happy to be part of our future," Dembele told Spurs TV.
"The way we're playing, the way the club is developing, everything is very good and everyone wants to be part of this team and this club.
"That's why I'm proud to extend my contract."
Pochettino told a news conference later on Friday that Dembele has earned his new deal after improving both mentally and physically this term.
Dembele has established himself as a vital player for Pochettino's title-chasing side and two of Spurs' three Premier League defeats have come when he has not started.
The Belgian's form is a far cry from last term, when he made just 10 league starts and was largely ignored by Pochettino after being replaced at half-time of Spurs' 2-2 draw with West Ham in February, after his mistake had gifted the Hammers the lead.
Dembele looked likely to join Spurs' summer exodus but Pochettino said the midfielder is fitter and more focused than last term.
"We need to review a little bit the history," Pochettino said ahead of Saturday's FA Cup trip to Colchester United. "He was injured from the beginning [of last season]. He had different problems. Always the circumstances are different. It's true that he has improved a lot from my point of view from last season.
"We are very happy in the way that he improved his quality and his mentality, and for that the club is happy that he has signed a new contract.
"He's a great player with great quality and one of the important players for us. All are happy that he has signed a new contract with us.
"He is very happy to be here. We are happy that he has signed a new contract."
The day before Dembele's new deal was announced, Spurs sold Andros Townsend to Newcastle United in a reported £12 million deal.
Pochettino admitted the England winger was eager for first-team football and added that the club was happy with the deal.
"It's important for him to find a club to give him the possibility to play consistently in the Premier League. That possibility wasn't here," Pochettino said.
"We keep a very good relationship. It's always about a player needing to play. Here, we have different players and he wasn't my first choice. It's normal that a player always want to play and have a possibility to join another club.
"The club believes it's a new good deal and only wants to wish him all the best at a new club."
According to reports, Dembele could be joined at Spurs by his namesake -- Fulham's 19-year-old French striker Moussa Dembele.
Pochettino, however, refused to comment on any transfer speculation, adding: "There's a lot of rumours about names, about players but you know I never speak in public about different rumours. We'll see what happens in the last few days."
ESPN FC's Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Dan Kilpatrick contributed to this report