Mike Jones has provided Carlisle United with a welcome boost after agreeing a new contract with the Blues.
The club tonight announced that Jones had verbally agreed a deal that will keep him at Brunton Park next season.
It means the experienced midfielder is the first senior player offered new terms by the Blues at the end of last season to have accepted.
His one-year deal includes a "review", the Cumbrians added.
Jones is currently on holiday but United's director of football David Holdsworth confirmed the two parties had agreed terms.
Holdsworth said: "I’m delighted that we’ve secured his services for next season.
“He’s an excellent professional and a good person, and he’s really bought into the club and the way we do things.
"He knows the club well, he understands the DNA we’re trying to create and he wants to be part of it. He’s a great signing for us.”
Jones, speaking on the club website, added: “I’m pleased to have got this done because it feels like I have unfinished business.
"I came to the club to get promoted and we still haven’t done that yet.
He added: “I’ve enjoyed my time working under the gaffer, I like the style of play he wants to introduce and I like the intensity he demands from us, both in training and on a match day.
“The only reason it’s taken so long to get to this stage is for personal reasons. There was only ever going to be one outcome because I have a real affection for the club, and the relationship I have with the fans is fantastic.
“I feel very much at home at Brunton Park and the backing I get from the supporters and the staff is very much appreciated. I’m looking forward to getting back for pre-season and to getting ready for what I’m sure will be a successful season.”
Jones, 31, has made 114 appearances in three campaigns at Brunton Park, scoring two goals.
The former Bury and Sheffield Wednesday man impressed after forcing his way back into the side in the closing months of last season, and broke his United league goalscoring duck with a winning strike against champions Lincoln.
News that he is remaining at Brunton Park is a welcome development after a day when the club have faced strong criticism from some fans over the departure of Jamie Devitt.
It followed an interview the Irish midfielder gave to the club website in which he said he had decided to leave after being offered only a one-year deal.
Of the four senior players offered new contracts at the end of last season, Devitt and Tom Parkes have moved on.
United are still awaiting developments with midfielder Stefan Scougall.
(with thanks to the News and Star