Demi Mitchell signs new Exeter City contract and wants to repay the faith

Demi Mitchell wants to repay the faith shown in him by Exeter City during his injury nightmare after signing a new deal at St James Park.

The 27-year-old has had fans on tenterhooks through his social media channels all summer, but let it slip that he was penning a new deal several weeks ago. Official confirmation came yesterday when the club announced he was staying for another 12 months, much to the delight of everyone connected to the club.

Mitchell hasn’t played since suffering a season-ending knee injury in the 3-2 Carabao Cup fourth round defeat to Middlesbrough at the end of October. He is back in training and battling to be ready for the start of City’s season, which starts on August 10.

Read More - Caleb Watts signs new contract to stay with Exeter City

Read More - Zak Jules turns down Exeter City contract and joins Rotherham United

“The faith that the manager, the board and the fans have shown in me, I want to repay that,” Mitchell said. “The fans like me here, the manager I have a good relationship with and everyone within the club, from the kit lady to the people on the board, so I want to repay the faith that they have shown in me and the backing they have given me and deliver some great performances on the pitch like I was doing.

“The club have backed me so far in terms of the injury and stuff and it gave me that motivation to repay the faith. It’s all about me getting back fit now and cracking on. I have got my clothing brand to a point where it is running on autopilot, so I can focus on football and the next 12 months and lock in.”

City boss Gary Caldwell added: “I obviously know about these things earlier than the supporters! We knew pretty early - or we were pretty sure - that Demi was going to sign and I am delighted to get him signed.

“He’s a fan’s favourite. He’s a very dynamic attacking player for us who, since he came to the club, has been superb. He was a massive miss for us last year when he got that bad injury, but he’s fully recovered from that.

“He’ll train with the boys from day one but not be fully ready to get into games and that when we start his programme will be slightly different but he is fit and it’s another big season ahead for him as well.”

Mitchell will report for the start of pre-season training at City’s Cliff Hill training complex tomorrow in readiness for the new season, but he wasn’t the only one penning a new deal with the club.

Academy graduate goalkeeper Harry Lee has agreed a one-year deal with the club, although Caldwell reiterated that he is still seeking a number one with 19-year-old Lee poised to go out on loan this season.