Eunan O’Kane is overjoyed on Twitter after putting pen to paper on a new four-year deal with Leeds on Friday morning.
The 27-year-old midfielder, who starred in Leeds’ 3-2 win over Bolton on Sunday afternoon at the Macron Stadium, had just one more season remaining on his previous contract.
However, it was confirmed on Leeds’ official website that the Ireland international would now remain with the Yorkshire giants until the summer of 2021 as he looks to be a crucial part of Thomas Christiansen’s side this season.
O’Kane posted on his personal Twitter account that he was “delighted” to sign the new long-term contract, before stating that he is “extremely excited about what lies ahead.”
I'm delighted to have committed my future to this club. I'm extremely excited about what lies ahead. Thanks for your kind messages #MOT https://t.co/Yl53YfWjrh
— Eunan O'Kane (@eunan10) August 11, 2017
The former Bournemouth midfielder sat at the base of the Leeds midfielder against Bolton on Sunday, dictating the tempo of play with by winning the ball back and completing many successful passes.
O’Kane is expected to start against Preston at Elland Road on Saturday with Christiansen seemingly set to use him consistently throughout the 2017-18 season, with the midfielder shaking off his 2016-17 injury demons.
Leeds’ number 14 suffered multiple muscle injuries that ruled him out for much of last season, limiting him to only 26 league and cup appearances.
O’Kane is just the latest name to have signed a new contract at Elland Road, with Ronaldo Vieira, Tyler Denton, Kalvin Phillips, Gaetano Berardi and Liam Cooper all being handed new deals this summer.
OPINION
With only a year left on his previous deal, it was of vital importance that Leeds wrapped up a deal to keep O’Kane at Elland Road before other clubs began to circle around the former Torquay star. The midfielder showed just what he is capable of when given a chance and free from injury against Bolton, going under the radar in between the midfield and defence for doing the dirty work that gave Leeds the foundation to go on and earn all three points. However, with O’Kane now 27 years of age, his contract will last until he is well into his thirties and the midfielder must prove that his proneness to injury is way behind him if Leeds are to be justified in handing him such a deal.