Bristol Rovers goalkeeper James Belshaw has signed a new contract, the club announced on Friday.
The 31-year-old was contracted to stay at the Mem until 2023, but he has signed new terms that will extend his stay in BS7 to June 2024.
Belshaw was signed from Harrogate Town last summer, acquired to compete with Finland international Anssi Jaakkola for the number one role. An Achilles problem for the 35-year-old gave Belshaw a chance to seize the gloves early in the season and he has snatched the opportunity.
Belshaw has kept 14 clean sheets in 34 appearances, delivering several match-winning performances to help ignite Rovers' surge up the table.
“We’re really pleased," Joey Barton said. "I think he’s been excellent since he’s arrived at the club.
"Obviously, we brought James in to compete with Anssi to hopefully get himself into a position to be our number one. As it’s panned out, he had an opportunity to do that and has taken it with aplomb and become a real fans' favourite.
"In recent weeks and months, the amount of top-class performances and clean sheets for us have been a real building block.
"Getting James tied down to a new deal is a real feather in the cap for the group because it takes care of a position for the next two-and-a-half years."
Belshaw said he is putting down roots in Bristol after a stellar first year for the club.
He said: "I’m delighted to have signed a new deal with the club. I’m especially pleased to now be able to move my family down here in the summer."
Rovers CEO Tom Gorringe added: “We are really pleased that Belly has signed. He has been superb all season and he’s a big part of our plans for the future and what we are trying to build at this football club.”
