Wes Morgan Signs New Leicester Deal, Jobi McAnuff Joins Stevenage
Jamaican defender commits to Premier League champs until 2019
Wes Morgan, the veteran Jamaican defender, has put pen to paper to see out his professional career with Leicester City. The 32-year-old, who played every minute of the club’s shock success in capturing the English Premier League last term, has signed a new deal.
With his first taste of playing Champions League on the horizon this campaign, Morgan has committed his future until the end of the 2018-19 season. He has played in 196 competitive games for Leicester City since joining from English Championship stalwarts Nottingham Forest four years ago.
Nottingham-born Morgan made his international debut in the scoreless draw against hosts Panama in September 2013.
He skippered the Reggae Boyz for the first time 12 months later, in the stinging 3-1 reversal to Canada, and has played a pivotal part in head coach Winifried Schäfer’s plans ever since.
He played every minute in Jamaica’s 2015 Copa America debut, where they tasted a trio of 1-0 defeats.
And Morgan was then involved in the Boyz’ historic run to the final of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they were beaten 3-1 by Mexico in Philadelphia.
However, because he had experienced a gruelling season with Leicester City’s remarkable success, straight after these two competitions, Schäfer gave his most influential player time to recover rather than play every minute in their ill-fated appearance in the 2016 Copa Centenario America – although Morgan did make a 45-minute appearance against Uruguay.
Morgan explained: “I’m proud to have the chance to carry on wearing the Leicester shirt long term.
“Lifting that Premier League trophy was a moment I’ll never forget but now we’ve got to give it everything to defend it.”
Reggae Boyz’ McAnuff signs for Stevenage
Jamaica’s veteran midfielder finds club to tackle season
Joel ‘Jobi’ McAnuff has today signed for English League Two outfit Stevenage Borough, a side who were non-league until 2010, having been without a club since May.
The Jamaican midfielder was released by fellow League Two team Leyton Orient after two seasons and 51 appearances.
But after the disappointment of being dumped by Orient, he concentrated on representing the Reggae Boyz at the 2016 Copa America Centenario – where he made a trio of appearances.
The 34-year-old remains firmly in the plans of Jamaica head coach Winifried Schäfer, so was eager to find a suitable team for the forthcoming campaign.
London-born McAnuff has 29 international caps, having made his debut as a substitute in the Unity Cup exhibition match game against Nigeria at Queen Park Rangers’ Loftus Road in London.
But he had to wait until February 2013 for his recall to the Reggae Boyz, and has been a permanent fixture ever since.
Ironically, McAnuff is 20 months older than the Stevenage manager who signed him.
Darren Sarell took over the reigns as caretaker manager after former England and Spurs star Teddy Sheringham was fired in February. And at the end of the 2015-2016 campaign Sarell was given the job on a permanent basis.
McAnuff said: ”Everyone has been going back for pre-season so I’ve been champing at the bit.
“Once interest from Stevenage was there and I’d spoken to the gaffer (Sarell), it was just a case of getting it done and I’m delighted.”
“The club’s going in the right direction and I’m glad being somewhere with that ambition, drive and enjoyment.”
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