The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Kept McInnes in control
Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis has got the contract extension, now he wants to get his hands on some silverware.
The 29-year-old, who joined from Cardiff City last summer, was the Premiership’s best in his first season with the Dons and agreed a two-year extension yesterday.
It was a welcome piece of good news after a tumultuous few weeks for Dons supporters with former captain Ryan Jack signing for rivals Rangers and Jonny Hayes, arguably the club’s best performer in recent years, moving to Celtic.
After opting against embarking on a new challenge of his own at Sunderland, Dons manager Derek McInnes has a sizeable task on his hands to rebuild and reshape an Aberdeen team that reached two cup finals and finished second in the league last season.
Niall McGinn, Ash Taylor and Peter Pawlett are among the first-team players who must be replaced, but persuading Lewis to remain at Pittodrie for the next three seasons was warmly welcomed by supporters.
The Englishman kept 21 clean sheets and conceded only 47 goals during his debut campaign with the Dons that ended with a place in the SPFL’s team of the season.
Reliable goalkeepers are hard to find but in Lewis the Dons have secured a dependable and consistent number one for the coming years.
After pledging his future to the club, Lewis now hopes he can play a part in winning a first trophy with the Dons.
“There’ll be no better news than Joe signing on for an extra two years”
He said: “I’m thoroughly enjoying my time here and it was an easy decision to stay longer.
“My family love it here and have settled really well and, from my perspective, I want to win trophies after coming so close last season.
“The opportunity to play in Europe regularly is another bonus and one that cannot be underestimated.
“The club is definitely heading in the right direction.”
Lewis was relieved McInnes resisted the temptation to try his luck in the English Championship with Sunderland.
The Dons manager turned down the chance to triple his wages by remaining at Pittodrie and Lewis added: “The manager has shown a great commitment to the club.
“The interest in him and his staff was well documented this summer.
“We have lost a few players, but it is time for the players who are already here as well as one or two of the young lads and the incoming players to step up and fill the gaps and we are really looking forward to the season.
“I am sure the manager is looking to build the team again and get us ready for the start of the season.
“He has shown the commitment and the belief he has in this squad and the club as a whole by staying and I was more than happy to do the same.”
Manager McInnes is delighted to secure Lewis’ services long term after he extended his initial twoyear deal.
He added: “We’ll be making signings over the next period but there’ll be no better news than Joe signing on for an extra two years.
“He’s been magnificent from day one here.”