Matt Connolly has signed an extended deal with Championship side Cardiff City, keeping him at the Welsh club until 2019.

The 28 year-old, who joined the Bluebirds from QPR in the summer of 2012 for £500,000, has been a mainstay in the starting line-up this season, making 29 appearances and notching one goal.

Speaking to City’s official website about his contract extension, Hatfield’s Connolly said: “I’m really pleased to have signed a new deal with the club and am confident that we can push on again.

“All of us, as players, believe that we have the ability to get back to the Premier League and that was definitely part of my thinking in signing this new deal. I’ve enjoyed promotions in recent years and that’s what my focus is again in 2016.

“As a group, we’re very determined to take the club forward. The club has done a great job in keeping our core together which is very important for long-term success. As players we appreciate that.

“It’s important that the fans get behind us as always for the remainder of the season and hopefully we can realise our ambitions together.”