Key defender Simon Francis has agreed a new deal with Bournemouth
Wednesday 20 January 2016 18:41, UK
Bournemouth stalwart Simon Francis has been handed a new three and a half year contract by the club.
The 30-year-old centre-back has been a mainstay of the Bournemouth side since joining the club in 2011, originally on loan before he sealed a permanent move in 2012.
And Bournemouth have been on the march since his arrival, having climbed from League One to the Premier League.
Named Player's Player of the Season for the 2012/13 campaign, Francis was a member of the PFA Championship Team of the Year last term, as the Cherries secured promotion to the top flight.
He has made over 170 appearances for the club in total and has captained the team in the absence of Tommy Elphick.
My relationship with the gaffer is excellent. He knows the club inside out and has brought my game on, personally, to a level that I never thought I could get to.
Having signed the new deal, he told the club's website: "It's an easy decision for me.
"I am really settled here and I think everyone knows that at the club. The manager and the staff know how much I enjoy it, so for me it was an easy decision, as long as the ins and outs of the contract were right.
"Thankfully that has all been sorted out and it couldn't be more perfect. It means a lot to me personally, because the majority of the lads in the team have been here since League One. I think the gaffer obviously recognises how well the lads have done for him."
And Francis added that the presence of manager Eddie Howe had been a major factor in his success at Bournemouth.
"My relationship with the gaffer is excellent," he said.
"He's the main reason that I've wanted to sign contracts and remain here for as long as I can.
"He knows the club inside out and has brought my game on, personally, to a level that I never thought I could get to.
"It's all credit to him that I am now sat here playing week-in week-out in the Premier League. The belief he had in me, and I am sure a lot of the other lads will say the same, has been absolutely top drawer."
