IRELAND U21 INTERNATIONAL Ryan Manning impressed enough in the second half of last season to earn himself a contract extension at QPR.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who enjoyed spells at Mervue United and Galway United before making the switch to England in January 2015, appeared to be on his way out of the club this time last year.

However, the arrival of manager Ian Holloway sparked an upturn in fortunes and he was handed a first-team debut away to Wolves on New Year’s Eve.

Manning went on to feature 18 times in the Championship last term — scoring one goal — and he has now been rewarded with a one-year extension that brings his deal up to the summer of 2020.

“I am absolutely delighted to have signed an extension,” Manning told the club’s website.

“It’s great reassurance for me. Hopefully, in the next three years, we can build something, start finishing at the right end of the table, and then get back to the Premier League.

“It’s been seven months since I made my debut, and it’s a crazy story really when you think about it.

To come from Ireland and playing in the League of Ireland to playing regularly in the Championship like I was last season, it’s something I am definitely proud of.

“All the staff here have been great – the gaffer, Flem [Curtis Fleming], Birchy [Marc Bircham]. They gave me the opportunity and I’m just glad I was able to prove to them that what they saw in me was true.

“I want to keep pushing on. I am working towards my next contract now, that’s the way I look at it. Helping out the team and being of value to the squad is paramount.”

The Rs finished 18th in English football’s second tier last season.

🎥 @ryanmanning4 thanked @marcbircham and co for giving him his chance at #QPR.

Watch in full: https://t.co/qTgVZBDmuW pic.twitter.com/VkYpcdybNC

— QPR FC (@QPRFC) July 17, 2017

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