Bournemouth have announced vice-captain Simon Francis has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at the club.
Francis, 30, had entered the final 18 months on his previous deal but will now be with the team until 2019.
The versatile defender has featured in every league match for Bournemouth in their first ever season in the top-flight and admits the decision to extend his stay was a no brainer.
“I am really settled here and I think everyone knows that at the club,” Francis told the Cherries’ official website.
“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 our League One days.
“I think the gaffer recognises how well the lads have done for him. He’s the main reason that I’ve wanted to sign contracts and remain here for as long as I can.”
Francis, who can play centrally and at right-back, has been a model of consistency for Eddie Howe’s men this season.
In fact, no Bournemouth player to have started at least 15 league matches has a higher WhoScored rating than Francis (7.06) and only five other defenders have created more chances in the league this season (20).
For more stats on Simon Francis, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
