Mariappa extends Bristol contract

National senior defender Adrian Mariappa has signed a contract extension with English Football League Championship club Bristol City. The new deal runs until the end of the season.

Mariappa, 34, joined The Robins as a free agent in November after leaving Watford at the end of last season, after the latter were relegated from the English Premier League. His previous contract with Bristol City was set to expire at the end of the month.

Mariappa has made seven appearances for Bristol, helping them to go within four points of the top six, the coveted play-off spots.

Bristol's head coach Dean Holden said that he has been impressed by Mariappa and is delighted to extend his contract.

"We are pleased to have 'Mapps' for the rest of the season," Holden said on Bristol's website. "His quality and experience is invaluable and he'll play an important part in what will be an exciting second half of the campaign.

"He's bought into what we are trying to achieve and is a big influence on those around him, particularly the younger lads, and that's crucial."

Bristol City are eighth in the table with 39 points from 25 games. Norwich City lead with 53 points from 25 games.

Mariappa has made 49 appearances for Jamaica since debuting in 2012. He is expected to play a vital role in the Reggae Boyz's campaign to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.