Dundalk have announced that Brian Gartland has signed a new contract with the club.
The deal sees the defender stay at Oriel Park for a tenth consecutive season and will be a welcome boost for new Lilywhites boss Stephen O'Donnell.
Gartland's season was disrupted by a knee injury suffered against Shamrock Rovers last year, but the 35-year-old will be hoping for more playing time in 2022.
He said: "I'm delighted to be staying here and going into my 10th season at the club. There is nowhere else I wanted to be.
"Last year was one of the toughest years of my life, on and off the pitch. Mentally, it was so hard seeing where the club was going and because I had the injury, I felt helpless and couldn’t do anything about it.
"Thankfully, my recovery is going very well and with the new owners and management team, there is a real buzz around the club again."
He added: "I feel that I have a lot to offer and I can’t wait to get back out in front of the crowd at Oriel.
"It’s been that long since I played in front of them and there were times last year when I was wondering if I’d ever get the chance to do that again.
"I have massive respect for Stevie [O'Donnell]. He was my captain when I played alongside him and I love his ideas and philosophy on the game and I’m really looking forward to working with him, Padge Cregg and Dave Mackey.
"It’s a new era for the club and, knowing Stevie, and from speaking to the new owners, the environment will be right to help us rebuild, consolidate and get this club back to where it was and where it should be."
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