Schindler earns new Terriers deal after impressing Wagner
HEAD COACH David Wagner has hailed the “very strong character” of Huddersfield Town’s Wembley hero Christopher Schindler after the one-time record signing signed a new contract with the Premier League club.
The 27-year-old, captured in a £1.8m transfer from TSV 1860 Munich last summer, fired the Terriers into the top flight by netting the decisive penalty in the play-off final shoot-out against Reading.
Schindler’s new deal runs until 2020 with Town also having an option to extend by a further year.
“When Christopher Schindler joined the club,” said Wagner, “I always said I was comfortable to break the transfer record to bring him in and I think he totally proved his worth last season.
“Christopher was one of our standout players last year; he adapted really well to English football and has developed during the year he has been with us.
“He is a very strong character, who leads the group both on and off the pitch and he is responsible not only for himself, but the team and the club as well.
“Everyone could see at Wembley how strong he is as a person, when he stepped up and scored the winning penalty. It is great to have a person like him in our dressing room.
“He is an excellent defender who suits our style of play, but now the challenge for him and his team-mates is to make the stepup into the Premier League.”
The contract extension for Schindler follows similar deals being thrashed out with Chris Lowe, Elias Kachunga, Tommy Smith, Jonathan Hogg and Rajiv van La Parra. Dean Whitehead also recently extended his stay for a further 12 months. ENGLAND’S Lucy Bronze hailed the Lionesses’ defensive strength after a second consecutive shutout helped continue their winning ways at Euro 2017.
Having trounced neighbours Scotland 6-0 in their tournament opener, Mark Sampson’s side came through a significantly sterner test with a 2-0 win over Spain in Breda.
La Roja dominated the ball at Rat Verlagh Stadion, racking up 74 per cent possession, but it was England who used it to greater effect, netting early through Fran Kirby before Jodie Taylor followed her hat-trick against the Scots with a late effort.
While Sampson would probably like his team to be in control of the ball for longer periods as the tournament progresses, Bronze emphasised the solidity of the back line as they ensured Spain were restricted to just one shot on target.
“The fact they had so much of the ball doesn’t bother me – there’s only one stat that