Piero Mingoia has admitted he was taken aback when he heard Stanley boss James Beattie wanted to offer him a contract extension.
The 22-year-old midfielder signed a new one-year deal this week, committing himself to the Reds until the end of next season.
“It came as a bit of a surprise but I’m over the moon,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep on going and continue to repay the manager’s trust.”
Mingoia’s current situation is in stark contrast to last summer, when he was looking for a new club after being released by Watford.
He ultimately joined Stanley on a permanent deal having had a successful loan spell at the Store First Stadium last term.
Despite scoring the winner at Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup, Mingoia struggled to hold down a first-team role early in the season, but the diminutive midfielder has gone on to establish himself as a regular for the Reds, making 19 league starts.
“Normally contracts are sorted out towards the end of the season so I have to take it as a compliment that the gaffer has given me one a few months earlier,” he said.
“We went through a bad run at the start of the season and nearly everyone in the squad had their chance.
“Maybe it was a coincidence or just a bit of luck that I managed to get back in the team just when things started to go well for us. It’s been a good run for me personally and for the team so we just want to carry that on.”
Beattie added: "He’s worked tremendously hard over the past few months and has worked himself into a position where he’s a valuable member of our squad.
“His work ethic and dedication to doing his job is refreshing to see and second to none, and it's something that we felt needed to be rewarded with this new contract.”
