Goalkeeper Ian McLoughlin has agreed a new deal with Milton Keynes Dons.
McLoughlin, whose contract with the Club was set to expire this weekend, has committed his future to the Football Club until at least June 2015 by agreeing a new two-year deal with a further one-year option.
Last season the Dublin-born shot-stopper showed his true credentials when he stepped into the number one role following an injury to David Martin.
The 21-year-old, who had made three appearances for the Dons prior to breaking into the side in late February, went on to feature in the final 16 games of the season and kept an impressive nine clean sheets in the process.
McLoughlin, a former Republic of Ireland international, also enjoyed a successful loan spell with Walsall last campaign. He made six appearances for the Saddlers but was recalled from his loan and just a week later Martin fell foul to injury and McLoughlin was given his opportunity to shine.
Now heading into his third season with the Dons, McLoughlin will be aiming to do battle with Martin, who penned a new two-year deal in the summer, for the number one shirt.
Dons boss Karl Robinson said: “I think Ian knew in his heart that he was going to be here next year and I wasn’t worried for one minute – I was confident that he would come to Ireland with us and that he would want to further his career with us.
“Tremendous credit needs to go to Paul Heald, he has been a wonderful mentor to Ian and so has David Martin. The competition is on for the two of them to battle it out for the number one spot.
“Ian is definitely one for the future so I am excited to have acquired his services for another two years. He is someone who I think will go from strength to strength as a goalkeeper and he is a wonderful character to have around the place.
“He did extremely well last year, after settling into the first few games he settled into our style of play, he worked with me and Paul Heald to improve on his feet and his passing and he became a real asset to us, which is why we were keen to keep him at the Club beyond the summer.”
by two-years, following in the footsteps of Luke Chadwick, Daniel Powell, Martin and Dean Lewington.mkstadiumMcLoughlin becomes the fifth Dons player to extend his stay at
The contract is subject to clearance from The Football Association and the Football League.