Central defender John Egan has committed his future to Brentford FC with a new three-and-a-half-year contract. The 24-year-old joined The Bees on a three-year deal in the close season and has been almost ever-present. He is now under contract at Griffin Park until the summer of 2020.

Brentford signed John, a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, after he turned down a contract at Gillingham. He made his Brentford debut on the first day of the Sky Bet Championship season against Huddersfield Town and marked his home bow with both goals in a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town a week later.

He followed that up with his third goal in his first seven league games for The Bees, the equaliser in a draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park. He started every one of Brentford’s first 30 games in all competitions this term and played almost every minute of those matches. He missed the win against Villa on Tuesday with a head injury sustained in the FA Cup tie against Chelsea but should be fit for the match against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

Dean Smith, Brentford FC Head Coach, said: “I am really happy that John has extended his current deal. It shows that he is happy at the Club and we match his ambitions to play at the highest level. John has settled really well and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by all our coaching staff that his peers recognize him as one of the best trainers at the Club. This drive and enthusiasm is enabling him to better himself in the Championship and push others around him to collectively realise their potential.”

Phil Giles, Brentford FC Co-Director of Football, said: "A big part of my job is to look at the long term strength of the squad and the Club more widely. Getting players on longer contracts helps us to build for the future as well as compete this season, so I'm delighted that we've taken another step in that direction and that John has shown he wants to be part of the project. He is ambitious for success, as are the Club, so hopefully we achieve some good things over the coming years."

John started out playing for Greenwood FC in his home town of Cork and moved to Sunderland when he was 16 to be part of the Premier League side’s youth set-up. He turned professional in 2011 but left three years later without making an appearance for the North East side. John had loan spells at Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Bradford City and Southend United and then joined Gillingham in 2014 when released by Sunderland.

John was almost ever-present in his first season at Gillingham and played 52 games in all competitions. He added a further 40 last term and scored six goals for the League One side, bringing his total to 11 in 92 games for The Gills. John’s performances last season earned him a place in the PFA Sky Bet League One Team of the Year. The defender has played for Ireland at Under-17 and Under-19 level and won six Under-21 caps.