ACCRINGTON Stanley midfielder Seamus Conneely has penned a new contract with the Reds until the summer of 2018.

The Irishman becomes the third Stanley player in a matter of weeks to sign a long-term contract at the Wham Stadium following Matty Pearson and Sean McConville in committing his future to the club.

And the 27-year-old expressed his delight at putting pen to paper with John Coleman's League Two promotion chasers.

"I was very pleased when the gaffer came to me before Christmas and said we would like you to stay," said Conneely.

"I am very happy, I have been here just over a year now and the team has been successful and long may that continue.

"It's always nice to be wanted and feel like you are valued."

And the Reds ace believes that the long-term deals handed out by the club are a statement of intent from Stanley and new majority shareholder Andy Holt.

"It does say a lot about the ambition of the club and that they are looking to the future," said Conneely.

"It puts a core group of players together for the next few years which we can build a team around and hopefully we can be successful."

For a full interview with Conneely and all the build up to Stanley's match with Carlisle see Friday's Lancashire Telegraph