The contract news that Norwich City fans have been longing for has finally arrived, with head coach Daniel Farke committing his long-term future to the Canaries ahead of tonight’s game against Hull.

The major boost has been announced ahead of the Carrow Road clash, after supporters were encouraged to take their seats 15 minutes before kick-off for an important announcement, adding to the already positive vibes surrounding the club’s promotion push.

Months of negotiations behind the scenes have resulted in the German coach extending terms until 2022, as his team prepare for the final 10 games of their Championship campaign.

The former Borussia Dortmund II chief’s assistant, Eddie Riemer, and head of performance, Chris Domogalla – who both came across from Germany with Farke in May 2017 – have also extended their deals until 2022, as has first-team coach and analyst Christopher John, who arrived in November.

Goalkeeper coach Ed Wootten is already on a full-time contract with the club, having been promoted from the academy ranks soon after Farke’s arrival.

“I’m over the moon and absolutely happy to feel blessed and honoured to be in this responsible role for this amazing club,” Farke told City’s official website.

“I made clear from the first moment that I arrived here, it really feels like home. Of course, right now everything is sorted and I’m unbelievably happy that further on I will be allowed to be in this role and work for this massive club. A big thank you to everyone.

“From the first minute, you got the feeling that everyone wanted to be successful and the way we wanted to work and the direction we wanted to head.

“Of course, it was a bit of a shaky start after two difficult years for the club with relegation and first difficult year back in the Championship. I felt even in these times, there was a lot of support and trust and we are all happy that we have been able to pay back.

“At the moment, it feels a bit like all Canaries are flying and Carrow Road is a pulsating ground with big unity in the club and city. It’s really a great pleasure to work each and every day for this amazing club.”

The contract situation has been lingering in the background for the Canaries in recent months, with sporting director Stuart Webber and Farke himself repeatedly reassuring supporters that there was nothing to worry about.

It remained a nagging concern for fans though with their team performing so well at the top end of the Championship throughout this season, with links to jobs in Germany emerging in the last year.

Last summer Farke was touted with Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt despite his first campaign in England finishing in a disappointing 14th-place finish for City.

After more big-money exits to balance the books followed for Norwich, with over £30million generated by the sales of James Maddison and Josh Murphy last summer, Bayer Leverkusen were also touted with interest in the German media in December.

However, with the ink finally drying on the contract that has been talked about for so long, full concentration can go into securing a return to the Premier League – and continuing to build towards a brighter future for the club.

“It was one of the reasons I wanted to sign, that I’m convinced our path is not already done,” Farke continued.

“I’m totally convinced the club is heading into the right direction and all credit goes to our board and Stuart Webber because they are crucial for leading the path.

“A big topic is to make this club a permanent member of the best 25 clubs in the whole country. That means that we are always allowed to play either in the Premier League or to at least fight in the play-off ranks to reach the Premier League.

“That’s our big task, not only to be there with one successful season or to have one good year, it’s more like to make out of this club a really permanent member of the best 25 teams in this country.

“It’s a big, big task, it’s not an easy way to go and there’s a still a lot of work to do with it but I’m happy that I’m allowed to help in a responsible role and to go further on. “

Webber added: “We’re delighted, it’s been a long time coming but as we’ve always spoken about, it’s about it being right for both parties, the club and Daniel and his staff.

“To finally get to this day is great. It’s exciting, we can now continue on and progress and not have this sort of subject hanging over us a little bit.

“As much as it doesn’t affect our work, Daniel and the guys are unbelievably professional, it’s there and it takes up everybody’s time and takes up Daniel’s time in the media taking questions on it.

“So to finally get there and have him and the rest of his staff tied down for three-and-a-half years is fantastic and it means we can really try and push forward now.”

• Check back to this website during this evening for further reaction and analysis and follow the action against Hull from Carrow Road in our Matchday Live blog at pinkun.com/live