TAM O'WARE, the Partick Thistle captain, has become the latest player at Firhill to sign a contract extension with the Maryhill club this month.

The 26-year-old centre-back follows in the footsteps of midfield stalwart Stuart Bannigan and Thistle Weir Youth Academy graduate James Penrice, both of whom have signed similar deals in recent weeks.

After missing the majority of the previous campaign with a knee injury, O'Ware has gone on to make 25 appearances this season, winning the club captaincy and becoming a key player in the Jags backline.

Speaking to Jagzone, Partick Thistle's media channel, O'Ware said he was pleased to have his future at Firhill sorted.

"I'm delighted," he said. "Obviously, after the year I had last year to come back, play some games and get a new deal sorted is very pleasing for me. I'm just hoping that we can turn a corner now and get Thistle to where they should be in the table.

"The positivity around the club that the gaffer has brought [convinced me to extend my contract]. He has made his intentions clear. I'm happy here with the changing room and everything. The club have looked after me when I was injured so I want to try and bring a wee bit of success to the club.

"The gaffer has brought in a good few signings already and he's sorting out the boys that he wants to keep here. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season, hopefully we can climb up the table and look forward to a big season next year.

"[Last season] was a tough year for myself. You never know how you're going to be an injury. I still feel like I'm trying to get back to where I was. I feel like I've improved a lot from the start of the season, I've found my feet a little bit and hopefully there's more to come. But to have a bit of security now and a new contract after the year I've had, it's really pleasing."