Rotherham United captain Richard Wood has expressed his delight extending his stay with the club having signed a new deal at AESSEAL New York Stadium, joking he has conjured up another ‘magic trick’ to secure his future.
The popular defender, now 34, has penned a contract with Paul Warne’s side which will now run to the summer of 2021 and admitted he will continue his determined approach to life with the Millers in an attempt to add another promotion to his already impressive CV.
"I'm very happy, that's why they call me the Magic Man - I've pulled another contract out the hat,” Wood beamed.
"I'm really pleased to get it sorted and I'm enjoying my football.
"The main aim is automatic promotion. Now I've got this deal sorted out I want us to push on and make sure we go up as champions, then, as club captain I'll be able to lift that trophy. That's what we all want and I definitely want it.
"I'm 35 in the summer and I want to keep playing for as long as I can but I want to try and get as many promotions and winners' medals as I can and one this season would be great."
The Millers club captain has known boss Warne since his days as fitness coach, having joined the club back in 2014, and insists he is well-aware of his duties off the pitch as well as those on it.
"I realise what I have to do, I am club captain. If I'm not involved at any point I've got to keep the lads going, look after the dressing room, do the community visits and be wherever the club need me to help out,” Wood continued.
“That is the sort of character I am, I'm willing to help anybody and possibly at times sacrifice myself for the good of the team.
"The Gaffer does trust me, I've enjoyed working with him these last few years and that's why I'm happy to sign and get it sorted.
"He obviously does rewarding me with new contracts, especially at my age as well. I do try and look after the lads as best I can, I try and manage and police it, keep everybody on side and keep us in the right frame of mind to win games.
"That's why I'm trying to get out of the lads - to speak more. Communication is massive in football and as young lads just coming into it, I'm not saying they're timid, but they need to learn the game quickly and that's what I'm here for.
"We've got some good young players and I'll try and bring the best out of them.”
The club’s current longest-serving player concluded by explaining that Rotherham United now feels like ‘home’ to him and reiterated that should he find himself out of the team, he will once again be doing everything in his power to knock on the door for a recall.
"It definitely does. This is my sixth season now and I'll be going into my seventh next. I'm really happy. It is like home to me now,” Wood added.
"It's happened most of my career and it is probably my motto now that you can't ever keep me down.
“I'll always work hard, give 100% and try to work my way into the team if I'm out of it. Hopefully I'll stay in it for the rest of the season and help us to win games.”