Monday 26 September 2011

EUNAN EXTENDS STAY WITH GULLS

Torquay United's Irish midfielder Eunan O'Kane has agreed a new deal with the club that will keep him contracted to the Gulls until the summer of 2014.

Eunan , who first arrived at Plainmoor in January 2010, has continued the progression that he has made since he was first brought to South Devon from Irish League side Coleraine, by former Torquay boss Paul Buckle, following the appointment of Martin Ling as manager of the Gulls in the summer.

Ling expressed his delight at securing the future of Eunan, who started his career with Premiership side Everton, and believes Plainmoor is the best place for him to display his talents.

"When I came here, I was told an awful lot of good things about Eunan O'Kane," said Ling.

"He has done all the things people have said he could. He is a tremendous player and a real asset, so getting him signed for the next three seasons is a big coup for this football club.

"I feel he is better than League 2 and we've convinced Eunan there is a future for him to display his talents here.

"When I spoke to him in July, we agreed to reconvene in September, which is what we've done. We know an awful lot more about each other and we obviously feel it is a marriage that works perfectly well for both parties.

"He wanted to see what I was about and how I was going to play the game. He is a certain type of footballer, who needs a manager to play to his strengths."

During his time at Plainmoor, Eunan has scored nine goals in 69 appearances for the Gulls and won the club's Young Player of the Year award last season.