WARNE’S DELIGHT AT NEW DEAL FOR IHIEKWE
ROTHERHAM have activated their option to extend defender Michael Ihiekwe’s contract at the club until the summer of 2020, much to the delight of manager Paul Warne.
The 26-year-old, who joined the Millers from Tranmere in the summer of 2016, spent the first half of the season on loan at Accrington where he made 20 appearances.
He returned to Rotherham in January and has regained a starting spot.
Warne was full of praise for Ihiekwe’s reaction to a lack of game time and was happy to keep him at the South Yorkshire club.
“Icky has been brilliant and has displayed every quality that I require of my players here,” he revealed.
“We had an honest discussion at the start of the year, in which he told me he wanted to get out and play games.
“I totally respected that, but also reminded him that I’d be keeping a close eye on his progress. I watched all of his games at Accrington and we spoke regularly.
“The reports that I received were always positive and we were more than happy to take him back in January.
“As I expected, he has continued to work hard and has subsequently earned his place in the side.”
Will Vaulks will also remain with Rotherham until June 2020 after the club extended his contract by an extra year.
The 25-year-old midfielder played a key role in the Millers’ promotion last season and has made 34 appearances in the second tier this campaign.
Vaulks joined Rotherham from Scottish side Falkirk in 2016.
“Will has been instrumental in everything we’ve done since we first took charge,” Warne said.
“He is a leader on and off the pitch and is a really big part of what is a fantastic dressing room.”