Rotherham United

Rotherham United defender Richard Wood has put pen-to-paper on a new one year deal at AESSEAL New York Stadium, subject to EFL and FA ratification.

The 30-year-old defender played a pivotal role in the Millers’ late Sky Bet Championship revival which saw them embark on an 11 game unbeaten run and has signed terms to remain at the club throughout the 2016/17 campaign.

Wood, who also took in loan spells with Chesterfield and Fleetwood Town last season, admits it was an easy decision to stay with the Millers and is hoping to build on the foundations laid last season under new boss Alan Stubbs.

“I’m very happy. After the last couple of seasons I just wanted to get my future sorted out in the Championship,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.

“It was straight-forward and I agreed it before I went away on holiday, obviously I’ve been away for a few weeks but now I’m back and I’ve come in to sign it and its all done and dusted now and I’m ready to kick on.”

“I came into the team and I thought I did well and we finished off well and if we can carry that on into this season with the new manager then we’re looking forward to a good season.

Newly-appointed boss Alan Stubbs has already set his sights on progression up the second tier table next season and former Sheffield Wednesday defender Wood shares those values and admits the club’s two seasons in the Championship will serve as a benchmark for the upcoming campaign.

“It’s going well for the club, we just need to stabilise and make sure we can finish higher than we have done for the last couple of seasons,” Wood explained.

“Finishing fourth bottom both seasons is a marker now and we need to improve on that and with the new manager its exciting times and I’m looking forward to working with him and seeing what training sessions he comes out with and how he wants to play.”

With a return date of 30th June penned in for players to report back for pre-season training, Wood concedes that while the relaxation that comes with the close season has been enjoyable, he has missed the camaraderie on the training ground.

“After a few weeks you sort of miss the lads and the banter that goes on at the training ground but it’s been a nice rest and I’ve been away on holiday and I’m back and ready to go."