Defender Sam Hird has signed a new contract with Barrow AFC that will keep him at Holker Street for next season.

Hird’s deal comes with the option of a further year added to that and comes as a reward for him quickly becoming a steadying influence in the Bluebirds’ backline since his arrival in January.

The 31-year-old, who played alongside AFC manager Ian Evatt at Chesterfield, had previously missed a lot of football after undergoing surgery on a hip injury that ruled him out of the second half of last season.

Hird suffered a bit of a setback when he sustained a knee injury during his short spell at Alfreton Town in the first half of the current campaign, but he has since proven his fitness with Barrow.

Since making his debut off the bench with them, against Halifax Town on January 19, Hird has played in eight matches for the Bluebirds and will continue to bring the experience that includes 385 Football League appearances.

The former Doncaster man is the second AFC player to agree to extend his stay at the club this week, after goalkeeper Joel Dixon also signed a new one-year contract on Monday.