Brentford have rewarded John Egan with an extra year on his contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2020.
The Irishman joined the Bees on a three-year deal in the close season and has been almost ever-present, missing the 3-0 win over Aston Villa with a head injury.
And co-director of football Phil Giles revealed that he is keen to tie players down to extensions even when they have over two years left on their contracts.
He said: "A big part of my job is to look at the long term strength of the squad and the club more widely.
“Getting players on longer contracts helps us to build for the future as well as compete this season, so I'm delighted that we've taken another step in that direction and that John has shown he wants to be part of the project.
“He is ambitious for success, as are the Club, so hopefully we achieve some good things over the coming years."
Head coach Dean Smith has been delighted with how Egan has settled in at Griffin Park and the desire he has shown to improve.
The head coach said: “I am really happy that John has extended his current deal. It shows that he is happy at the Club and we match his ambitions to play at the highest level.
“John has settled really well and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by all our coaching staff that his peers recognize him as one of the best trainers at the Club.
“This drive and enthusiasm is enabling him to better himself in the Championship and push others around him to collectively realise their potential.”
