WATFORD boss Aidy Boothroyd has put pen to paper on a new contract.

Already tied to the club until 2010 after signing a four-and-a-half year deal in December 2005, Boothroyd has been offered improved terms on his existing contract, despite overseeing a wretched season that has yielded just five Premiership wins and resulted in relegation.

Chairman Graham Simpson hinted in a statement that the club moved to offer Boothroyd an improved financial package to ward off any interest from other clubs, claiming the 36-year-old is a "coveted individual".

The news comes less than two weeks after chief executive Mark Ashton, who was a major player in bringing Boothroyd to Vicarage Road, was made a director and less than a week after the Russo brothers, Jimmy and Vince, were removed from the club's PLC board.

The team's record this season under Boothroyd was believed to be at the centre of the dispute between the Italian brothers and the rest of the board members.

"I am thoroughly delighted that we have been able to reward and, at the same time, secure the services of one of the country's brightest and most prestigious talents," said Simpson.

"Aidy has built a wonderful rapport with our fans and has worked really hard to make a success of Watford, and also to understand everything that we stand for and believe in as a club.

"It is a sign of our of intent and a sign of how much trust the board has in Aidy that we have reaffirmed our commitment to him ahead of what promises to be a very exciting campaign for us next season.

"I believe that with solid foundations in place this club will continue to grow towards our ambitious targets, but our people are crucial to achieving this. Aidy has built an excellent reputation and is a coveted individual, which is why it is really important to further secure his future."

Said Boothroyd: "I feel very fortunate to work with a chairman, chief executive and board who allow me to do the job I need to do."