Lester, Niven and Downes sign new Chesterfield deals

Niven has scored 21 goals in eight seasons for the Spireites

Jack Lester, Derek Niven and Aaron Downes have all signed new deals with League Two champions Chesterfield.

Striker Lester, 35, has signed for two years, while 27-year-old midfielder Niven and 26-year-old defender Downes have penned one-year contracts.

Lester, who has scored 17 goals this season, said: "I am delighted to sign this deal as I absolutely love it here - the fans, the team, the stadium.

"This is a club on the up and I am so pleased to be part of it all."

Lester has scored 79 goals in 156 appearances for Chesterfield since joining from Nottingham Forest in June 2007.

He added: "I am feeling good at the moment and looking forward to next season in League One."

Niven is the club's longest serving player, having made 308 appearances since joining from Bolton in December 2003.

"This is a good time to be a Spireite," he told the club's website. "After such a good season everyone is enjoying the taste of success."

And Downes, who has been recovering from a second cruciate ligament injury, is hopeful that he will be able to join the rest of the squad when they meet for pre-season training.

He commented: "Having missed a whole season through injury I am really desperate to get back playing football.

"I want to thank Chesterfield for being so supportive and standing by me and I am pleased that I don't seem to be too far away from getting back and properly involved again."