The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Lewis: Deal me in Dons
Goalkeeper happily settled and getting into swing of life in Granite City Champions, relegation fodder, sack the manager, beat Liverpool 3-1. As you do
Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis is ready to sign a contract extension. He has been outstanding this season as the Dons have opened a nine-point lead in the race to finish best of the rest.
Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis is ready to sign a contract extension with the Pittodrie club.
The 29-year-old Englishman has been outstanding this season as the Dons have opened a nine-point lead in the race to finish best of the rest behind champions-elect Celtic.
Lewis, who still has 18 months left on his current contract, has kept 15 clean sheets in 38 appearances since joining from Cardiff City last summer.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is eager to get Lewis – arguably the club’s best goalkeeper since Jim Leighton – to commit his long-term future to the club and negotiations have already started with his agent.
The Dons take on Hamilton Accies this evening and Lewis said: “You never know what can happen in the future, but I have no desire to look elsewhere.
“The club has been in touch with my agent, but I’ve not got too involved in it at the moment because there are 18 months left on my deal.
“It’s good to know that the club wants me to stay, it makes me feel good that the manager obviously thinks I’ve done something right.
“I am enjoying it here as much as I have done anywhere.
“I came here to play regularly, got the shirt early on, and have managed to hold on to it. Winning games like we do makes it even more enjoyable.”
While Lewis has quickly adapted to the demands of being Dons number one, the former Norwich City and Peterborough United player has also quickly settled into life in Aberdeen off the pitch.
He added: “I love it in Aberdeen. It’s a beautiful part of the world and I like my golf so it’s ideal.
“There are plenty of courses around here so that suits me perfectly.
“I’m not a member anywhere at the moment, I’ve been going round a few different courses.
“I am enjoying it fantastically here. I have a good relationship with everyone at the club and the supporters.
“All I will do is focus on my football and keep doing my best for the team, I leave all that sort of stuff to my agent.”