http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/040714-wes-morgan-signs-new-leicester-city-contract-1717920.aspx
Wes Morgan Signs New Leicester City Contract
Leicester City are delighted to confirm that Championship-winning captain Wes Morgan has signed a new three-year contract, keeping him at King Power Stadium until June 2017.
City’s inspirational skipper crowned an historic league campaign by lifting the Football League Championship Trophy in May, and will lead the Foxes into their first Barclays Premier League campaign for a decade in August.
Wes told lcfc.com: “I’m delighted to finally commit my future to this Club. Winning promotion with this squad last season and lifting the Championship trophy were the proudest moments of my career and I can’t wait to hopefully lead the team out on the opening day of the Premier League season.
“We’ve all worked so hard to win promotion and the whole squad is determined to make the most of it. There are some big challenges ahead in the next few years and I’m excited that I’m going to be part of it.â€
Thirty-year-old Morgan, who was about to enter the final year of his previous contract, featured in all but one of City’s league fixtures last term, further cementing his reputation as one of the best defenders outside of the top-flight.
Alongside the emerging Liam Moore and the experienced Marcin Wasilewski, Morgan played a key role at the heart of a defence that conceded just 43 goals all season – the third best defensive record in the league.
Morgan’s defensive displays were characterised by an unwavering commitment that won him the admiration of both the fans and his peers, eventually resulting in him being named in the PFA Championship Team of the Season for the third time.
City manager Nigel Pearson said: “Wes has been every bit the captain we hoped he would be when we signed him two and a half years ago. He’s a leader on and off the pitch, sets a terrific example for young players and is an extremely positive influence on the squad.
“He is one of number of players that has worked incredibly hard to reach the Premier League, both during his time at Leicester City and throughout his career, and he fully deserves the opportunity to test himself at that level.
I’m absolutely delighted that his long-term future remains with us.†Signed from East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee in January 2012, Morgan has been a revelation for the Foxes, leading by example on the pitch in all of his 118 City appearances to date.
Although the 2014/15 season will be Morgan’s first taste of top-flight football, he provides a vastly experienced presence in defence, with over 500 career appearances to his name already.
More than 400 of those came for Forest, the Club with whom Morgan began his career. A loan spell with then fourth-tier side Kidderminster in March 2003 gave Morgan his league debut, before he made the step up to Forest’s first team for the 2003/04 season, playing 36 times.
After another seven and a half seasons at the City Ground for Nottingham-born Morgan, Pearson swooped to bring him to King Power Stadium shortly before the January 2012 transfer window closed.
A string of accolades followed for his performances at the heart of Pearson’s defence, including the Leicester City Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards for 2013/14. On the back of that, the defender also played his way into the international reckoning for Jamaica, for whom he made his debut in a 0-0 draw against Panama in September 2013.