Derry extends QPR stay

21 January 2013 18:16

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Shaun Derry has signed a new one-year contract, the Premier League's basement club said Monday.

The 35-year-old, who moved to Loftus Road on a free transfer from London rivals Crystal Palace in June 2010, now plans to stay at QPR until beyond the end of the 2013/14 season.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Derry told the club's official website. "It's changing times once again with Harry (Redknapp) coming in and I find myself playing more now than I did under (former manager) Mark Hughes.

"I'm just so delighted to commit myself to the club for another year -- I'm enjoying my football more than ever."

Derry, who has made 91 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, had been on the fringes of the first team under Hughes but was restored to the side by Redknapp.

Now the veteran ball-winner has helped QPR on a run of five games unbeaten, with the Londoners just five points off climbing out of the relegation zone.

"When you're not in the side or even in the squad and you're questioning whether or not you should move on, it always stuck in my mind the many happy memories I've had here," said Derry.

"I've come to the club at the latter stages of my career but without question, I've enjoyed the happiest time of my career at QPR.

"Harry's got everyone believing again. There's a togetherness about us now.

"The team spirit -- which comes through runs like this - is improving all the time.

"We're all coming together at the moment. We're showing that togetherness that is required."

Source: AFP