[Dirtycheat]

Giggs signs one year extension

Giggs could now overtake Sir Bobby Charlton's club appearance record

Originally Posted by bbc sport

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has signed a one-year extension to his deal, keeping him at Old Trafford until the end of the 2009 season.

The 33-year-old has spent his entire professional career at the club since making his first-team debut in 1991.

"Ryan epitomises the word loyalty - he signed as a 14-year old schoolboy and is still with the club 20 years on," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Giggs's previous deal was due to expire at the end of the current season. The Wales international, who has committed to what will be his 18th season at Old Trafford, has won nine Premier league titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the Champions League in his time at the club.

"Apart from his playing ability, he has a fantastic demeanour and is a great role model to the younger players," added Ferguson.

"I am sure he will be at the club for a long time to come."

The new contract will give Giggs, who has lined up for the Reds on 727 occasions, the chance to overtake Sir Bobby Charlton's club record of 759 appearances.

"I am delighted to have signed for a further season," Giggs told the club's website.

"I am enjoying football more than ever and I hope to carry on playing football for Manchester United for as long as I can.

"I would like to thank Sir Alex Ferguson, the fans and everyone at the club for the great support I have received over the years."

im a bit annoyed as to why such an immensely loyal player like giggs wont be rewarded by a longer contract. Instead he has to wait every year to know whether or not he will have to retire or find another club, just because he is over 30.

the last 3 seasons at united have been amongst his best and he played in every position we asked from him and excelled. So why does he only get a one year contract when he has devoted his whole career to the club and is widely regarded as the ideal role model for all other players at united?

IMO loyalty is a two way thing and you cant ask players to be loyal when you are not being loyal towards them once they're over 30. Am i the only one that thinks this?

[randy420]

Yes. It's just the way that contracts are given out to players over 30 at United. Denis Irwin was loyal as could be for us and once he turned 30 he was only given 1 year contracts. It's got nothing to do with the loyalty, or being disrespectful to the players, it's just the way things are done at United.

[Dirtycheat]

i know that its united contract policy for over 30s, i just think its bit unfair.

edit 1: i think the policy should have change so instead of a contract renewal every season, have a 3 or 4 year contract when he reaches 30 with some sort of appearance or release clause if he gets a long term injury etc.

edit 2: yes its 18+ months but effectively he has to sign a new one every season if he is to continue at the club for the following season. My worry is, say he had a bad run of form at the beginning of the season, which is perfectly possible, would he get a contract renewal? or would we miss out on a player who could have added to next season's squad?

[GocartMozart]

it's over a year and half. it's basically a two year contract.

[macca247]

i have so much respect for giggs been awesome for united well should see giggs overtake sir bobbys charltons record now and what a achievement that will be

[zarafa]

well big clubs can't take big risks on players over 30 years by giving them over 1 year contracts. i mean just loook at giggs this season compared just to last season.
as for the 1 year extention i am very happy to hear that. i am a very big giggsy fan and i was happy when he broke the record for most top-fligh league titles. i just hope this season he cant over take the record for most major silverwere, i think he needs one more to equal the record and another to surpass it

[Hoangzah]

Ryan Giggs has been an absolute legend for Man Utd, it will be a sad day when Giggs retires from club football