Derby forward Jamie Ward has signed a new two-year deal with the club, with the option of a further year.
Ward's contract ran until June next year but the 25-year-old is now committed to the Rams until at least June 2014.
"It wasn't really desperate to get it done because Jamie had time left on his contract but I think it is fitting to reward him," said Derby boss Nigel Clough.
"He gives us options in his play. He can play wide and he can play up front as well. He is also a niggly so-and-so, one of those players you don't like playing against. We need a little bit of that and maybe some more feistiness."
Ward has made 38 appearances for the Rams this season and scored four goals. He has recently returned to the team after missing eight matches with a thigh injury sustained while on international duty with Northern Ireland.
Gareth Roberts, Jake Buxton and Ward have all signed new deals in the past week and there is a contract offer on the table for Paul Green, whose contract expires this summer.
Update:
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