BARNSLEY skipper Paul Reid has claimed he turned down better offers from other clubs to remain a Red. The 24-year-old centre-back has put pen to paper on a new deal keeping him at Oakwell until the summer of 2008. He was the first of Barnsley’s out-of-contract stars to agree to a new contract. And while midfield ace Stephen McPhail has opted to leave and join Cardiff City on a free transfer, the Reds are hoping that all the other players to be offered fresh terms – Chris Shuker, Antony Kay, Nick Colgan, Bobby Hassell and Neil Austin – will sign back on for the club.

However, reports on the south coast this week have linked Austin with a move to Southampton; Luton are long-time admirers of Shuker and Hassell has also been linked with a move elsewhere. Reid was a Paul Hart capture back in the summer of 2004 and has currently made 84 appearances for the club.

On signing his new contract, Reid told the club’s official website: “On the back of the result at the Millennium Stadium I am delighted to commit myself to Barnsley Football Club and have the chance of playing Championship football for the next two seasons. “There was never any doubt that I wanted to stay at the club, even when I was offered more lucrative contracts elsewhere. “I am very happy that my future is now sorted and I get the chance to lead Barnsley out as a Championship team. “I hope I will be the first of many of the promotion-winning side to re-sign. It is very important that we keep the side together as much as possible. “The fans at the Millennium Stadium were fantastic and showed the kind of support this club could potentially have. I would urge all the fans that made it to the Millennium to get behind us this coming season.”