Alfie Mawson said the 2014/15 season would be “make-or-break” after signing a new one-year contract with Brentford.

The Development Squad central defender put pen to paper on a new deal earlier this week.

It is his second professional contract as he signed a two-year Development Squad deal in the summer of 2012 after completing his scholarship.

Alfie played 12 Under-21 Professional Development League Two South games for Brentford’s Development Squad in 2013/14, scoring three times, andmade his First Team debut in the Capital One Cup defeat against Derby County in August.

He also had spells out on loan at Maidenhead United, Luton Town and Welling United.

Alfie, speaking to Bees Player after signing his contract, said he was happy to sign but wanted to kick on and play First Team football.

He said his aim was to appear in the Football League in 2014/15.

“I am very happy,” he said.

“When you grow up you want to be a professional footballer.

“I am happy but not fully happy, I want to kick on and play First Team football.

“I want to play league football.

“Every year is a massive year but this is make-or-break for me.”

Alfie’s 2013/14 season was ended early by a knee injury.

The defender admitted when he suffered the injury – in March – he did not know if he would be offered a new deal and was considering whether he would move elsewhere.

He said he was thankful to get a chance to continue his career.

“When I got the contract offer I was injured and out for a while,” said Alfie.

“I was upset and annoyed at being injured.

“I didn't know if I would get a contract offer or not.

“I was thinking about other possibilities but the injury jeopardised them.

“I was thankful to get another contract.

“I now have to kick on.”

Alfie said he was now running again after the injury and hoped to be in full training early in pre-season.

He said he had spent the summer in rehabilitation rather than on holiday and relaxing but it had happened to him before and he wanted to ensure he was ready as soon as possible so was happy to do it.

“The injury wasn’t great, I was in pain,” said Alfie.

“I am back running now and hopefully will be back after a couple of weeks of pre-season.

“It is going well.

“The physios are happy and I am happy, I just want to get fit again.

“I have had a few injuries over the summer in my time here.

“You have to deal with it.

“Injuries are a setback but I want to work hard and get fit.

“That is better than having a holiday and missing pre-season.”

Alfie said 2013/14 was not as good as he had wanted.

“My season was up and down,” he said.

“I was over the moon to get a debut in the Capital One Cup.

“I was happy to play on loan.

“Under-21s football is good but it is different being away.

“Sometimes it is about winning, you learn that as you get older.

“My season was OK overall but not as good as I wanted.”

Alfie said he may go out on loan in 2014/15 but not immediately as he would look to follow Charlie Adams and Josh Clarke from the Development Squad to the First Team.

He said he wanted to play First Team football for the majority of the season and would move on loan if it would help him do that and improve as a player.

But his first aim was to impress Brentford Manager Mark Warburton.

“I will be here for a month or two and try to break in to the First Team like Charlie or Josh,” said Alfie.

“That is in my sights.

“If not, I will look to go out on loan.

“I don’t mind that, I have to play regular First Team football early in the season.

“Hopefully I can get in here and challenge.

“I need to crack on.

“I lost a bit of fitness and need to work on that.

“I have to get in the manager’s view; I spoke to him and I have heard he likes the way I play.

“I want to play the way we do at Brentford.”

Alfie is entering his fifth season at Brentford and has seen the Club develop, particularly since the summer of 2011.

He said The Bees had the quality to succeed in The Championship, where they will play in 2014/15 for the first time since 1993.

“When I first came here as a scholar the Club didn’t appear to be going anywhere,” said Alfie.

“When I was a second year it took off.

“The Club is going forward.

“Next year will be a good test; there are players in the Club to push on.

“I believe we can cement our place and we will do well.”

Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Alfie Mawson here.