Steve Sidwell is set to stay with Fulham until the summer of 2014 after signing a contract extension.
The 28-year-old initially joined from Aston Villa on a six-month deal in January but Fulham have taken up the option to add a further three seasons.
Sidwell has so far impressed in eight appearances for Mark Hughes’ team.
“I’m delighted,” he said. “Initially it was like a trial period and it was down to me to prove myself. It’s gone well, and there’s still a lot more to come.”
“The main objective was to come here in January and prove myself, to get a contract,” Sidwell, who played for Chelsea before his brief spell with Aston Villa, told Fulham’s website. “Now that’s been done I’m not going to sit on my laurels, I’m hopefully going to kick on.
“I was fortunate enough to get a chance to play because of the injury to Dickson [Etuhu], but then on the flipside it was my turn to be injured. So it’s been a bit up and down but on the whole I’ve settled in well. I’d like to thank the management and the people upstairs.
“I’m delighted to be here for three years. I’d like to help in the progress of the club and take it where the management and the owner want to take it.
“This has been a transitional year compared to the success of last year, but I’ll be hoping to take each year as it comes and progress.”
Fulham reached the Uefa Cup final last season, losing to Atletico Madrid, before the destabilising exit of manager Roy Hodgson to Liverpool.
But former Manchester City manager Hughes has steadied the club, who currently sit 12th in the Premier League.
Sidwell was on Arsenal’s books as a youngster but never played for the first team, instead going out on loan to Brentford and Brighton before joining Reading in 2003.
He spent four seasons with the Royals before joining Chelsea in May 2007, and then Aston Villa in July 2008.
