SEAN THORNTON will stay at Brisbane Road for the 2009/10 season after putting pen to paper on a new contract with the O's.
The 26-year-old midfielder has signed a one year deal with an option for a further year and his decision means all the players offered new deals by the O's this close season will remain with the club.
The former Sunderland man joined the club in the summer of 2007 after leaving Doncaster Rovers.
He scored on his debut at Southend United and was an influential force as the O's moved to the top of the League One table.
Drogheda-born Thornton found himself out of favour under former boss Martin Ling at the start of the 2008/09 campaign and was loaned out to Shrewsbury Town, but he fought his way back into contention in the second half of the season and shone under new manager Geraint Williams.
He has scored four goals in 68 games for the O's and he joins Scott McGleish, Andrew Cave-Brown and Loick Pires in signing new deals with the Brisbane Road club this summer.
O's manager Williams said: "We're delighted that Sean has signed his new contract with the club.
"The fact that everyone who was offered a new deal has signed shows that they believe in the ambition we have for the club.
"It is great news that Sean is staying as we continue to build our squad for next year."
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