Michael Dawson
Michael Dawson has signed a new three year deal with Tottenham. [Reuters]

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that Michael Dawson has been handed a new three-year contract after an impressive return to form for the long-serving centre-back.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas placed Dawson on the transfer list when he first arrived at the club in the summer of 2012 but the England defender turned down a move to Queens Park Rangers in order to prove his worth.

He quickly won his new manager over and has since become the club captain and is now a vital figure at the back as Tottenham look to secure a top four finish and a place in next season's Champions League.

The 29 year old joined Tottenham back in January 2005 from Nottingham Forest and quickly established himself as a firm fan favourite with his no nonsense style of defending.

Dawson played a crucial role in helping the north London club qualify for the Champions League for the first time and helped the club reach the quarter-finals of the competition.

Spurs confirmed his new contract on their official website, saying: "The club is delighted to announce that Michael Dawson has signed a new three-year contract, committing his future to the club until 2016."

Dawson has represented Spurs some 293 times and has once again been in superb form this season to help the club sit third in the Premier League table after six games.

He will be hoping that he can lead the club back to the Champions League where he enjoyed some memorable nights, leading Spurs out at the San Siro in a memorable win over AC Milan.