The 31-year old is still hanging onto his hope of being a Newcastle regular, and has signed a two-year contract.
Harper: "Signing this contract extension was probably the biggest decision I have had to make in my entire footballing career. I have made no secret of the fact that I want to be playing first-team football on a regular basis.
"I still feel I have many good years left in me at the top of the game and I would love those to be spent helping Newcastle United achieve success.
"Anyone who thinks I am happy just to collect my wages and sit on the bench every week during the season could not be more wrong. In fact, my desire to play first-team football burns brighter than ever.
"I want to play first-team football and I want to do that here at Newcastle United.
"When I got a start in the UEFA Cup earlier in the season at St James' Park, even if it was a quiet evening for me over 90 minutes, it still reminded me that this is the club I want to play for. It was fantastic news for the club and the fans when Shay Given signed his new contract in the summer.
"He is a great friend, but we're also great rivals and every day in training we push each other all the way so that our high standards never slip. I will continue to keep doing that every day and I would like to think people would value that as a very important contribution.
"If Shay plays consistently well week-in, week-out because he knows there is fierce competition for his place from me, then I feel I am playing a big part for the club."