Idris El Mizouni hungry for more success at Leyton Orient

The 22-year-old Tunisian arrived from Ipswich Town last August and was a key figure as Richie Wellens’ side won the League Two title.

The Paris-born midfielder played 44 times in the league and netted three goals, against Barrow, Rochdale and Crawley.

And he was named the Players’ Player and Manager’s Player of the Season at the Supporters Club Starman awards, as well as being included in the EFL League Two team of the season.

“Last season was an unbelievable season,” he told the club website. 

“I know the gaffer and I know the players, it was an easy decision for me to come back.

“I trust the gaffer and he trusts me, he is a big part of why I came back here.

“The success we had last season makes us more hungry this year. We want to play higher again and again. We can’t wait for a season in League One.

“I had (Darren) Pratley next to me last season and the gaffer was a centre-mid, so I’ve taken a lot of information from those two and I think that I improved a lot last season.

“League One will be harder this season, with bigger teams and bigger crowds, but there will be more teams trying to play football, which is when I think we played best last season.”

El Mizouni joined Ipswich in 2017 and signed his first professional deal the following year, going on to have two loan spells at Cambridge United and another at Grimsby Town.

Confirmation of his return to Brisbane Road comes after academy graduate Jayden Sweeney agreed a new two-year deal.

The 21-year-old full-back made 22 league appearances last season and was nominated for League Two’s young player of the year award.

And he said: “I’m over the moon to be staying here. I’ve been here my whole career and I see it as my club, my home. I’m excited to see what happens in the next two years.

“I knew from the last game of last season that my future was going to be here. My heart has always been at the club, and there was no debate about staying. There were a few contractual things that were above me.

“I’m over the moon to be back in and training, which has been tough as it always is in pre-season, but we’ve all embraced it.

“Last season was incredible considering I’m still here towards the start of my career. Reaching a moment so high which so many people have said to me would be the pinnacle of a career. To do it so early was surreal.”