It was never really a worry but Fred Onyedinma has now returned from holiday and put pen to paper on his new Millwall contract.
The 18 year old has now penned a new two year deal that keeps him with us until the summer of 2017, and it’s been a good reward for the youngster following his debut for the club aged 17 as a substitute against Southend United in January 2014, and then went on to make his full debut in the game against Charlton just four days later – picking up the Man of the Match award for his performance in the scoreless draw.
Our two time Young Player of the Year has so far built up a total of nine appearances for the club since then, but spent the majority of last season out on loan with Play Off finalists Wycombe Wanderers, adding a further 27 appearances to his name, with a return of eight goals.
Speaking to the official site after penning the deal, the attacking midfielder explained it had been a busy 12 months for him, but he couldn’t wait to get going again for the new season.
‘I’ve only had about four weeks off. Having been involved with Wycombe through to the Play-Off Final, the season went right through to nearly the end of May. I now have just another week off before we start training again at Millwall, but I’m really looking forward to it. It was a great experience for me playing so many first team games for Wycombe and hopefully people will see an improvement in my game at Millwall this coming season. It is exciting for me, with several of the other players who I played alongside in the U21s now coming through into the senior squad, and of course Chopper and Dave (Livermore) taking over as manager and assistant. They know my game and know me very well so I’m looking forward to what I hope can be a successful season.’
Manager Neil Harris said following the deal, that he felt the spell at Wycombe would’ve done him the world of good and he was looking forward to seeing him return along with the other players.
‘It’s important you get these things settled and that these young players know you have faith in them. The long term project here is to get back into the Championship and become an established club at that level, and I’m hopeful the group of youngsters we now have coming through into the squad will form the nucleus of our side in the coming years.’
For Fred specifically.
‘Fred was allowed to go to Wycombe to gain some vital experience which he certainly did, learning all about the ups and downs of football in the process. He will be a much better player for that experience, and I would certainly have liked to have him available to me during the last ten games of last season.’
With a core of young players now who have known each other for a few years in our youth levels, Harris knows that can only aide them in their own development, having friends around for the hi’s and low’s the season will bring.
‘All the young lads will benefit from having their friends around them, not only those I have already mentioned but also the likes of Jack Powell, Ben Thompson and Jamie Philpot. It’s exciting for them and hopefully our fans will enjoy watching them play and develop.’
Vital Millwall on:
Vital Millwall on:
Onyedinma Finally Signs New Deal
