Cardiff City yesterday agreed a new three-year deal with captain Sean Morrison to keep him at the club until 2020.
The Bluebirds skipper had been subject to strong interest from Sheffield Wednesday throughout pre-season with reports claiming bids of more than £3 million were submitted.
Neil Warnock had every intention of keeping his captain and one of his best defenders though, and he quickly rejected the bids.
The Bluebirds signed Morrison for a fee of more than £3 million from Reading in 2015 and he has gone on to make more than 100 league appearances to date.
The 26-year-old was also made club captain last summer following David Marshall’s exit to Hull City.
And while he had - and still has - his critics, Morrison has done a good job of leading his team, and indeed his defence.
His big personality clearly has an influence in the changing room, and a popular figure among team-mates, he’s clearly a very good leader on the pitch.
His performances in a Cardiff City shirt haven’t always left him on the right side of the supporters opinions but he has grown into his defensive role and improved significantly.
And in the process, he seems to have won over a big section of the Bluebirds faithful, despite being much-debated in the past.
The arrival of Neil Warnock has clearly had an impact on his play, and Morrison has become far more consistent alongside defensive partner Sol Bamba.
Cardiff City fans have been lucky in recent years to see a high standard of central defenders, including Mark Hudson, Steven Caulker, Matthew Connolly and Ben Turner.
Bruno Ecuele-Manga and Sol Bamba can now be added to that list, as well as Sean Morrison.
He may not be as polished as some of the aforementioned at times, but he is as good a Championship defender as Cardiff could ask for, and that’s been recognized by Carlos Carvalhal., a man in charge of a very good team in Sheffield Wednesday.
The goals he provides from set-pieces are another big part of his game, and it’s those extra goals that can define a season come May.
And besides, even the likes of Bruno Ecuele-Manga is not without his mistakes, lapses in concentration and wild clearances.
All of the defenders currently at the club face a tough battle to secure a spot in the starting XI next season, but that can only be a strong positive.
Morrison is a key player to Neil Warnock’s team, on and off the pitch, and the decision to keep him and award him a new contract could be key ahead of this season.
We may have seen Cardiff City cash in on an offer in excess of £3 million just 12 months ago, but keeping hold of him and making a statement with the new contract smacks of intent.
Neil Warnock and the club are clearly becoming more ambitious ahead of this season…and the supporters are rightfully loving it.
(Featured image: Jon Candy)