GOALKEEPER Murphy Mahoney said it was “massive for me” after he signed a new contract at Queens Park Rangers.
Mahoney, 22, signed on loan at League Two Swindon Town last season. He made 25 appearances and kept four clean sheets.
“This is massive for me,” Murphy said on QPR’s website. “I am really happy. I have been here since I was ten and my plan is to be here as long as possible and eventually become the No.1.
“I love it here, it is home to me and long may it continue.”
An injury in December forced his return to QPR.
He said: “The loan was pivotal for me.
“It was about getting out and playing men’s football. Everyone here knew how well I was training but it is different doing it in games.
“So, the loan was good for me because it showed what I can do. It was obviously frustrating to get the injury halfway through the season because coming back with a full season would have been great, but I feel I showed in that half season that I am capable.
“I am really pleased with the progress I’ve made.
“If you had said to me twelve months ago that I would get 25 games under my belt, 23 in League Two, I would have snatched your hand off.
“Now I am focused on getting fit and strong for the new season. I am going to work hard in pre-season and see what happens.”
Hoops chief executive Christian Nourry added: “Murphy’s ball-playing capacities are really exciting and his loan spell with Swindon was really productive, with progression last season stopped only by an unfortunate injury. I was personally very impressed by his attitude towards his recovery.”
