Sligo Rovers can confirm John Mahon has signed a new two-year contract with the club.

The recently-turned 22-year-old has made over 100 appearances for the club and was voted Player of the Season in 2021.

Mahon’s contract had 12 months remaining but has now penned a longer deal to the end of the 2023 season.

He made his senior debut in April 2017 after playing for the Under-17 and Under-19 side having signed from Ballisodare United.

He was Young Player of the Year for the club in 2018, first-choice defender in 2019, helped Rovers reach Europe in the 2020 season and did so again this campaign when voted the Player of the Year.

Mahon said: “I had one year remaining but I spoke with my family and my agent and I felt it was going to benefit me and the club to extend my contract.

“When I broke my leg, I had the security of the longer contract and that meant a lot at that time. From that experience I know it’s important and most of all I don’t want the distraction when we have such important matters on the pitch. I can focus on my football and not have it an issue for anyone.

“I have a desire to go on to play outside of the League of Ireland and I hope to complete that one day. For now my ambition is to help Rovers win things. We’ve made progress, we can all see that by being in the top four for two seasons, but silverware is the overall target now.”

Mahon was the outstanding player in 2021 and is looking to repeat his own high standards.

“It could have gone to a number of players. As the season was coming to an end I had completed what I wanted to do and that was to play almost every game and do well so it was great. The likes of Ed, Niall and myself are still young but we are getting older too and we see the likes of Johnny Kenny stepping into our shoes now.

“We want to take on that extra responsibility that comes with it and all of the lads have contributed massively.”

Manager Liam Buckley said: “John has had a great season once again. He is a leader in the team and a really strong character.

“His partnership with Garry Buckley was superb. John has been first choice from my first day at the club and he fully deserves this contract. We know John is proven at this level and has the potential to play at a higher one so securing him on this deal is the best way both for the club and John.

“There are a lot of top class centre halves in the league and John is right up there, as is Garry. Given he has just turned 22, that’s a great place for John to be and I know he has a desire to get better and better.

“We want him winning trophies for Sligo Rovers and I believe he can do that.”