Tom Cairney has signed a new five-year contract with Fulham, the club have confirmed this evening.

The Scottish international, who scored the goal that secured the Whites’ return to the Premier League in the Championship play-off final defeat of Aston Villa, will now be contracted to the London club until the summer of 2023. The Fulham captain, who has become a firm favourite of the fans since signing from Blackburn Rovers in July 2015, has made 130 senior appearances for the club, scoring 28 goals.

Cairney, who had been heavily linked with moves to West Ham United and Newcastle United during the January transfer window, played a key role in Fulham’s promotion to the Premier League, despite struggling with a troublesome knee injury for much of the campaign. The 27 year-old told the club’s official website of his delight after agreeing his new deal:

I’m obviously delighted to extend my contract, it’s all I’ve wanted to do, and I’m just buzzing to get the season under way. Premier League football is back at the Cottage, and it’s great to be part of the squad that got us there again.

Fulham’s vice chairman and head of football operations, Tony Khan, commented:

We are very excited that we’ve signed a contract extension for Fulham Football Club’s Captain Tom Cairney. Based on our achievements in Tom’s time as our skipper, and his contributions to our great success last season, it’s an honour and a pleasure to announce that Tom will remain with us at Craven Cottage for what will be a bright future.