THE paperwork has been finalised on a loan deal for Adam El-Abd that will extend the Bristol City defender's stay at Bury until the end of the season.

Manager David Flitcroft confirmed after Saturday's defeat at Burton Albion that the 30-year-old centre-back and his parent club had agreed to the loan.

And his formal registration with the Football League has now been completed.

El-Abd has made 10 appearances for the Shakers since signing an initial two-month loan back in November, during which time he has formed a promising partnership alongside new captain Nathan Cameron at the heart of the defence.

After initial defeats to Dagenham and Redbridge and Oxford United, Bury's results have improved since the former Brighton defender's arrival, with the club recently moving back into the League Two play-off places.

Despite Saturday's narrow defeat to Burton, Flitcroft is confident his latest signing will help the side's results continue to improve in the season run-in.

"Adam's loan is until the end of the season – it is a non-claw-back loan so we will have him for the rest of the campaign, which is great news because he has been fantastic," added Flitcroft.

“He wants to lead, he wants to put in the work on the training pitch and he has been a big success for me while here on loan.”