Wolves striker Andy Keogh wins contract extension
Feb 11 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Post
Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Andy Keogh has been given a two-year contract extension to his current deal for his part in the club’s meteoric rise to the top of the Coca Cola Championship table.
The 22-year-old Ireland International - currently away preparing for Wednesday's World Cup Qualifier against Georgia at Croke Park - has put pen to paper on a two-year deal.
The new contract keeps the player at the club until 2012 and has been added to the three-and-a-half year deal he first signed when joining Wolves in January 2007.
The extension is seen as a reward for Keogh’s services even though he has had times had to make do with a place on the bench this season because of competition in the Wolves’ forward line.
With Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo hitting the back of the net 25 times between them, Keogh has found his chances limited and has at times had a tricky relationship with fans but he has been starting more games recently with Iwelumo now struggling for form.
Manager Mick McCarthy said: “I’m delighted that Andy has agreed a new contract. From stepping in the door just over two years ago he has had a huge impact for us.
“There’s always been interest in Andy from other clubs and there have been occasions when he’s had a rocky relationship with the supporters but perhaps he hasn’t quite been appreciated for all the graft he puts in.”
He continued: “All he ever wanted to do when he sat down in the office with me was to sign and stay on here – he loves it at Wolves and wants to play for this club and I think that’s fantastic.
“He’s a striker but he’s also played wide left and wide right when required as good if not better than anyone else and always puts a real good shift in.”
McCarthy’s views were shared by Chief Executive Jez Moxey who said: “Andy has shown great commitment to the club and we like to reward players who give 100 per cent in the way that he has.”
Keogh was this week named as a winner at the 19th Eircom/Football Association of Ireland International Soccer Awards.
More than 800 guests attended a glittering event at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, Dublin to see Keogh presented with the International Goal of the Year Award, voted for by television viewers.
His blistering strike for Ireland in the 1-1 friendly draw against Serbia came in Giovanni Trapattoni’s first international game in charge on May 24th 2008.
