/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57421667/689727014.0.jpg)
Reading have announced a shock retirement U-turn from striker Yann Kermorgant, the striker now sticking around until June 2019.
You may remember that towards the end of last season, the Frenchman confirmed his plans to call it a day at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, but that has now been shelved with the Royals set to enjoy one more year of Big Yann.
So far this season, Kermorgant has been reduced to just two appearances off the bench as he makes a comeback from hip surgery over the summer. And, apparently satisfied that he can continue contributing to the team, he’s extended his contract for another 12 months.
“Yann was a very important player for us last season, not only in the goals that he scored but also as a person with the right mentality and the right character,” boss Jaap Stam told the official club website on Wednesday afternoon.
“Unfortunately he picked up the injury in pre-season so he has been out of action for the last few months, but in what he showed last season he deserved this new deal and everyone is happy he has signed up to stay with us for another year.”
Perhaps one of the men responsible for the U-turn was new Reading chief executive Ron Gourlay, who was pictured next to the forward at the deal’s unveiling.
“Yann is as hungry for success and as eager to achieve as ever and it is fantastic news that we have agreed this contract extension until 2019,” he told the club website. “I am confident he will continue to be a hugely positive influence for this football club and a lynchpin within our first team squad.”