diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cf17b6e..e204720 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -41,6 +41,12 @@ One of the following environment variables need to be set:
 They must contain secrets which have to be configured in GitLab/GitHub to
 authenticate webhooks.
 
+Optionally, you can also set the following variables:
+
+* `REDMINE_MERGE_REQUEST_LINKS_AFTER_MERGE_STATUS` - Name of issue status which should be set after the merge request is merged.
+* `REDMINE_MERGE_REQUEST_LINKS_REDMINE_USER_ID` - ID of Redmine user who should change the status - used as journal author.
+* `REDMINE_MERGE_REQUEST_LINKS_FIXING_KEYWORD_PATTERN` - Fixing keyword pattern. When set, the issue status is changed only when issue ID is preceeded with the fixing pattern. Example pattern: `(?:clos(?:e[sd]?|ing)|fix(?:e[sd]|ing)?|resolv(?:e[sd]?|ing))`
+
 Export the environment variable(s) in your bash or webserver config.
 Examples with Phusion Passenger webserver can be found here:
 https://www.phusionpassenger.com/library/indepth/environment_variables.html
diff --git a/app/models/merge_request.rb b/app/models/merge_request.rb
index c9f95be..53cb4e7 100644
--- a/app/models/merge_request.rb
+++ b/app/models/merge_request.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class MergeRequest < ActiveRecord::Base
   # update the author name only once.
   attr_readonly :author_name
 
-  after_save :scan_description_for_issue_ids
+  after_save :scan_description_for_issue_ids, :update_mentioned_issues_status
 
   def self.find_all_by_issue(issue)
     includes(:issues).where(issues: { id: issue.id })
@@ -31,4 +31,31 @@ def mentioned_issue_ids
       (value || '').scan(ISSUE_ID_REGEXP)
     end.uniq
   end
+
+  def fixed_issue_ids(fixing_pattern)
+    fixed_issue_regexp = fixing_pattern + ISSUE_ID_REGEXP.source
+    [description, title].flat_map do |value|
+      (value || '').scan(/#{fixed_issue_regexp}/i)
+    end.uniq
+  end
+
+  def update_mentioned_issues_status
+    redmine_user_id = ENV['REDMINE_MERGE_REQUEST_LINKS_REDMINE_USER_ID']
+    after_merge_status = ENV['REDMINE_MERGE_REQUEST_LINKS_AFTER_MERGE_STATUS']
+    fixing_pattern = ENV['REDMINE_MERGE_REQUEST_LINKS_FIXING_KEYWORD_PATTERN']
+    if state != 'merged' || redmine_user_id.blank? || after_merge_status.blank?
+      return
+    end
+    issue_ids = fixing_pattern.present? ? fixed_issue_ids(fixing_pattern) : mentioned_issue_ids
+    issue_ids.map do |match|
+      issue = Issue.find_by_id(match[0])
+      if issue.present?
+        issue.init_journal(User.find(redmine_user_id))
+        issue.status = IssueStatus.find_by_name(after_merge_status)
+        unless issue.save
+          logger.warn("Issue ##{issue.id} could not be saved by merge request") if logger
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
 end