Matthew Connolly signs Cardiff contract extension

The 28-year-old centre-back moved to south Wales in 2012 from QPR and is closing in on 100 appearances for the Bluebirds.

"I'm really pleased to have signed a new deal with the club and am confident that we can push on again," Connolly told Cardiff City Player.

"All of us, as players, believe that we have the ability to get back to the Premier League and that was definitely part of my thinking in signing this new deal.

"I've enjoyed promotions in recent years and that's what my focus is again in 2016.

"As a group, we're very determined to take the club forward. The club has done a great job in keeping our core together which is very important for long-term success. As players, we appreciate that.

"It's important that the fans get behind us as always for the remainder of the season and hopefully we can realise our ambitions together."

The Bluebirds are currently under a transfer embargo and ninth in the table, five points off the play-off spots.