Dale Stephens signs 4 year contract

[jameswestport]

Yipee

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

****ing A!

I've really gotten to appreciate Stephens this year. Probably because we've been on telly so much I've seen him play a lot more than I did last year(and there's been a lot less Kayal). He's the sort of player who is so important to a team but if you don't pay attention won't really notice him. The sort of player that other players love to have in their team. Delighted he's staying.

 

[The_Viper]

Are you high? How can we afford to lose Dale Stephens more than we can afford to lose Dale Stephens?

Heh, it's early over here

 

[Daffy Duck]

This is fantastic news.

I really was expecting him to be off somewhere else, but so pleased he's decided to stay with us.
And, as others have said, it's saved us having to splash out a huge amount on a new player.

 

[Triggaaar]

Came close though-almost

Not at all, because if Dale had gone it would have been after he continued to play for the club, which got us promoted. Bridcutt threw his toys out the pram. I hope he fails in the playoffs. No wait...

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

What do we think? Now Brighton's highest-paid player?

In my book he's been our best player for a long time. The way he plays the ball around is sublime. In the last home game he played one disguised pass thathad folk around me griping, till they saw it land dead owing to the backspin, to be easily rceived by the intended recipient. And that was during a game in which many others choked.

I'm a bit surprised by this, given that I too had fallen for the 'northern homesick monkey' bollocks (him or the missus). Maybe he has taken a look around aand realise that the area is great, the club is great, and the contract offer also great - what's not to like, etc. Anyway, it is BRILLIANT - I feel like I'm seven years old again

 

[Gritt23]

I sit here for days waiting for news, then I slip off to one poxy meeting and we have BREAKING NEWS on my return.

Excellent news at that! Was fairly confident this one would happen, but great that it's all sorted so early.

 

[Bob!]

Great news I was always hopeful that he will sign and at least if Dyche comes back in for him it will double his value and fee. Not so hopeful about David Stockdale signing but I hope that I am wrong.

If Stephens was going to Burnley, why would he sign for us so that the club get a fee for him.

He'd let his contract run out and get a signing on fee for himself, surely?

 

[Gritt23]

This is a brilliant piece of news. We were looking at 10 million to replace him.

That may well have come up during his contract negotiations to be fair. I'm sure he's negotiated a pretty handsome signing bonus for that very reason.

 

[chaileyjem]

which leaves a questionmark over Sidwell i guess.

Kayal, Stephens and Norwood all have long new contracts.
Inevitable that CH looking for another young pacy midfielder.

5 into 4 won't go.

*IF he continues playing 4-4-2

 

[Miami Seagull]

Great , great news

 

[Alba Badger]

GET IN! number 6 and Stephens on my shirt next year!

 

[Saladpack Seagull]

Can't believe we've acted so fast! Well done to all concerned! DS- you made the right decision, and let's hope the OTHER DS does the same!

 

[crookie]

Great news, and let's hope it gives Stockdale some food for thought when he's looking at the contract in front of him.

 

[Alba Badger]

Can we recycle all the Stockdale songs for Stephens if Stockdale moves on?

 

[AmexRuislip]

Great decision made!

 

[essbee1]

Great news and hope it inspires a few others to sign.

 

[jimhigham]

That's a proper "fist pump" moment. Great news and the first step in keeping the bulk of this great team together. Essential as the team spirit these boys have is irreplaceable.

 

[BBassic]

If Stephens was going to Burnley, why would he sign for us so that the club get a fee for him.

He'd let his contract run out and get a signing on fee for himself, surely?

Hang on a minute, this looks suspiciously like logic! You'd best be off with that stuff lad.

 

[Driver8]

That should be the last we hear from Burnley supporters.