Wes Brown, the Manchester United defender, has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.

On Friday the club confirmed the 28-year-old was one of three players, along with Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand, to have agreed new contracts. Brown's previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season and there had been speculation he would walk away from Old Trafford.

Brown has made the right-back spot his own this season in the absence of injured captain Gary Neville and he was delighted to have signed a new contract. "Manchester United is a fantastic club and I am delighted to have signed a new deal," he said.

"To be part of a team I have supported all my life is a great honour. I can see this team winning many trophies in the coming seasons and it will be great to share in that success."

Sir Alex Ferguson, who criticised Brown's agent earlier in the season when it appeared he might end his 12-year stay at Old Trafford, praised the defender's contribution to the side.

"I am delighted Wes has signed a new contract, he has grown up at this club and is an integral part of the squad," said Ferguson. He has done a great job during Gary's absence and has been a major factor in our outstanding defensive performance."