A Carlisle United midfielder has signed a new two-year deal with the club.
The deal – which has an option of a further 12 months – will keep Jon Mellish at the club until at least the summer of 2023.
Mellish, who turned 24 last week, initially joined the club as a defender on a one-year contract midway through May 2019.
Having been converted to a midfield role by manager Chris Beech, he showed a natural affinity and was quickly offered new terms, which extended his stay at Brunton Park until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
He made 49 appearances for the Blues during the 2020/21 season, scoring an impressive 16 goals from his new attacking midfield berth.
Manager Chris Beech said: “I’m really pleased for both Jon and the club. There are two positives in this for me – firstly Jon gets recognition, security and ultimately reward for the progress he’s making and has made in such a short space of time as a football player.
“Secondly, the club, driven by David (Holdsworth) are keen to support and ultimately encourage progression and reward success.
“If I was a young player again (and sometimes I wish I was) this is a huge statement to me to say that if I go out, train hard, work hard and perform, not only will it be acknowledged, it will be rewarded.
“Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubts there are parameters that David has to work within from a finance perspective, but I know personally he’s really keen and supportive to acknowledge progression and reward it, which is a good thing.
“Many a club in our division, and the one above, would wait until the end of the contract before having discussions, irrespective of a player’s performances.”
Chris Beech was speaking to carlisleunited.co.uk
