Dan Gleeson has signed a new contract with Cambridge United to June 2010.
Jimmy Quinn spoke recently about his wish to reward the 23-year-old for his form and consistency since returning to the club a year ago, initially on loan from Notts County, and today he put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half deal.
"He's done very well for us and I'm glad to get him tied up," confirmed the U's manager. "He's done great since he's been here and he deserves it.
"He's a Cambridge lad and he wants to do well for the club, and he's earned a new deal because he came in here last year when we were struggling and needed to get results and he played a big part in helping us stay up.
"This season he's been tremendous and that's been recognised by his two England C caps, and I know of at least three or four other clubs at our level that would take Dan at any time, so as far as I'm concerned it's a great bit of business from the club's point of view, too."
'Glees' has made the demanding right wingback role his own since returning to the club he supported as a lad and where he has spent his whole career apart from seven months at Notts County last season.
He is comfortable in defence and on the attack, and Quinn paid tribute to his versatility, saying, "He can play wing back, he can play right-back, he could probably play right wing if we go to a 4-4-2, and he's done magnificently well at both ends of the pitch all season.
"He's definitely earned this new contract and I'm sure the fans will be happy because he's a local lad. You can see he's Cambridge through and through and people recognise that, and I'm glad we've recognised that as a club and we've given him a bit of security for the next two seasons.
"He's only just turned 23 - he's been around so long people think he's older but he's still only young - and he can play a big part in our future."
Gleeson joins several of the squad who have signed new contracts since December. Danny Potter, Josh Coulson, Mark Albrighton, Rob Wolleaston, Wayne Hatswell, Mark Beesley and Michael Morrison have all recently signed deals to 2010, while Lee Boylan, Robbie Willmott and Gavin Hoyte have recently signed deals to 2009. Danny Brown and Mark Convery signed contracts to 2009 last summer.
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