Fulham defender Andy Melville has revealed he rejected several offers before deciding to sign a new contract with the Cottagers.

The 34-year-old put pen to paper on a 12-month extension to his contract last week after agreeing a new pay deal.

Melville, who joined Fulham on a free transfer in 1998, is certain he has made the right choice.

“I had other options as well but it made sense for me to stay here,” Melville told the club’s official website.

“I’ve had four brilliant years here and I hope we can do really well this season.”

The Fulham captain admitted that Chris Coleman’s appointment as the new manager was a major deciding factor.

As well as being a fellow Welsh international, Coleman and Melville played alongside each other at the heart of Fulham’s defence before the car crash that ended Coleman’s career in 2000.

“Chris was an influential factor in my re-signing,” Melville said.

“He took over for the last five games of last season and things went well.

“I’ve been hearing very positive things from him and I’m sure the club are going in the right direction.”