Despite a year out of action with a broken leg, Alan Judge has signed a new two-year deal with his club Brentford,
.Judge’s influence until he suffered the double fracture in early April last season, which he still ended as Brentford Player of the Year and in the Football League Team of the Year, clearly hasn’t been forgotten as he continues his rehabilitation.
📝 Alan Judge has signed a new two-year contract at Griffin Park, more here: https://t.co/2yOd5mwYfS #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/Bhd4ge2I7N
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) March 29, 2017
Indeed, nobody has surpassed Judge’s total of 24 assists over the past three seasons, even though the 28-year-old has missed out on the entirety of 2016/17 so far.
24 - No player has provided more @SkyBetChamp assists since August 2014 than Alan Judge , even though he is yet to play this season. Order.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 29, 2017
“He is close to a full recovery from the terrible injury he suffered and we will certainly reap the benefits when he returns to the standards he was setting in the Championship prior to the injury, which earned him his first full international cap and plaudits from managers and peers from within the Championship,” head coach Dean Smith told brentfordfc.co.uk.
“It is a great boost to the staff, the squad and supporters that his future remains at Brentford.”
Judge earned his international debut for Ireland against Switzerland last March but the injury ended his chances of making Euro 2016.
Phil Giles, Brentford Co-Director of Football, added: “When Alan suffered the injury at Ipswich our first thoughts were regarding his health, recovery and the fact that he would miss playing in the European Championships for Ireland.
“However, all parties were aware of his contract situation and that his return to the squad would be near the end of that contract. No conversations were held until recently when Alan was nearing a return, so he could focus fully on his recovery.
“When we finally sat down to discuss the contractual situation it was apparent that a new contract was the best outcome for all, in particular knowing that Alan enjoys being at Brentford and living in the area.
“I'm delighted that he has signed and look forward to him returning to the team."