Fulham have been handed a boost ahead of their game against Bolton this weekend with the news that Brett Hangeland has signed a new contract that will keep him at Craven Cottage until 2013.
The defender has been a revelation since joining the club in January 2008, putting in a string of solid performances for Roy Hodgson’s side. So much so, that Manchester United and Arsenal have reportedly been interested in securing his services.
Hangeland has ended this speculation though by committing his long-term future to Fulham. Speaking about signing the new deal, the 28-year-old said that he was ‘delighted’ to get things sorted out and that he remains very ‘happy at Fulham’.
Fulham boss Hodgson is clearly pleased to secure the player’s signature for another three- and- half-years, saying that it is a sign of the club’s ambition in the Premier League. He describes Hangeland as an ‘extremely important player’ for the team who always conducts himself as ‘a model professional’.
Hodgson went on to give his thanks to the Fulham chairman for ‘showing his dedication’ in agreeing a deal with Hangeland and his representatives.
As for the more immediate future, the former Blackburn manager says that the news of Hangeland’s new deal will be a ‘boost for everyone’ in the coming weeks where there are some ‘very important games’.
Bolton are the visitors to Craven Cottage on Saturday and if Fulham manage to get three points from this one, it could see them rise as high as 6th by the time the day is out. After a fantastic season last year, this is again testament to the excellent job Hodgson is doing.
Hangeland is clearly ambitious in terms of what the future may bring as well because he is clearly happy to stick around to see what this Hodgson era can achieve in terms of their football betting odds.
