Ireland signs four-year deal

"I don't have to worry about my immediate future, I've
got a long contract now and it'll set me up for a few years to progress myself
and become a fixture in the side."
"You see Bradley (Wright-Phillips), Willo (Flood) and
Crofty (Lee Croft) getting sold last year, so I could have been in that boat.
I'm glad that I've been kept on."
"I'm happy here and hope to stay for as
long as possible," added the player who has featured 23 times for Stuart
Pearce's side this season.
"It's a good time for me to get my new contract,
I've been here a few years and now I'm looking ahead to the next
few."

- Ireland.com

For me Ireland has had his best and most consistent season to date. He is less in and out of games as he has appeared to be in the past and has fit well into all the formations Pearce has adopted this season.

He looks to be stronger, more composed and more settled in the side and with also playing on the international stage, can only help his progress.

A good move and locks another part of the young side up for the foreseeable future.