Soccer:Fulham winger Damien Duff has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at Craven Cottage until summer 2013. The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international has become a key player since joining the London club from Newcastle in August 2009, helping the Cottagers reach the 2010 Europa League final.
Duff put pen to paper on his new deal today and believes there will be many more good times ahead under new manager Martin Jol. He told www.fulhamfc.com: “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time at Fulham since joining two years ago and I’m delighted to be staying at the Cottage until at least 2013.
“This is a fantastic club with great supporters and it’s a very exciting time to be part of the team. I feel in great condition and I’m hungry to achieve more success for this club. We’ve had some great moments together so far and I believe there’s more to come from us in the Premier League and Europe this season under Martin Jol.”
Duff began his senior career at Blackburn, winning the League Cup with Rovers in 2002 before switching to Chelsea the following year. He won two Premier League titles and another League Cup during a three-year stint at Stamford Bridge before signing for Newcastle, where he spent a less successful three years prior to his transfer to Fulham.
The Cottagers confirmed news of Duff’s new deal in a statement on their website this afternoon, a day after he had helped Jol’s side defeat Ukrainian outfit Dnipro 3-0 in the first leg of their Europa League play-off. It read: “Regulars at the Cottage will testify that the signing of Duff has turned out to be an inspired piece of business by the club and both parties are delighted to confirm the news that the player will remain at the Cottage for at least the next two seasons.”
Jon Walters, meanwhile, has been rewarded for an impressive first year at Stoke with a 12-month contract extension which keeps him at the Britannia Stadium until the summer of 2015. The striker was a €3 million signing from Ipswich a year ago and went on to score 12 goals last season, including five in the Potters’ run to the FA Cup final.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis told www.stokecityfc.com: “Jon’s rise to prominence is an inspiration to others. He has had to battle his way back up from the lower leagues through hard work and dedication.”
With Stoke currently short of fire power up front, the onus has fallen very much on Walters and strike partner Kenwyne Jones, and Walters is already off the mark for the season after netting the Potters’ first Europa League goal against Hajduk Split last month.
The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international admitted even he was taken aback by the speed with which he adjusted to life in the Premier League. Walters said: “It was a fantastic first season here for me — far better than I could ever have imagined. I want to repay this club for the faith they have shown in my ability and there are certainly some exciting opportunities to do that.”
Walters needed stitches in a head wound and also sustained a gash to his shin in a bruising 1-0 win over Swiss side FC Thun last night but Pulis is confident he will be fit for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Norwich.
