Henry pledges Wolves future
Wednesday 27th May 2009, 2:16PM BST.
Wolves midfielder Karl Henry has pledged the best years of his career to the Molineux cause after reaching agreement on a new four-year contract.
Player of the Year Kevin Foley and Dave Edwards are expected to follow Henry in announcing long-term deals to keep the ‘young and hungry’ brigade at Molineux.
The Wolverhampton-born 26-year-old’s agent Eric Walters has been in talks since before the end of the season and the terms are now settled to reflect Henry’s contribution and Wolves’ Premier League status.
Henry said: “I’m delighted to have finalised the new deal. It was never going to be a case of ‘if’ I signed the new contract – it was about when we could sort it out.
“It was good that the club acted very swiftly. It gives me the chance to start concentrating on keeping myself fit during the summer and coming back ready for a new challenge in the Premier League.
“As a local lad I was delighted we won promotion for everyone at the club and especially the supporters, now we can all look forward to trying to establish ourselves in the top division.”
Henry, who captained Wolves for most of the season, still had two years on his current deal, having signed a three-and-a-half-year contract in October 2007.
The former Stoke man has made 117 League appearances since his £100,000 move from the Potteries in July, 2006, including 43 last season – the second most starts after Foley, with Henry’s only absencies through suspension.
Chief executive Jez Moxey praised the midfielder’s contribution.
He said: “Karl’s been one of Mick McCarthy’s most cost effective signings. He’s been a major part of what the team has achieved.
“He’s one of a number of our current players who we have been negotiating with and we’re delighted he’s extended his stay.”
Henry follows Carl Ikeme, George Elokobi, Andy Keogh and Matt Jarvis in signing contract extensions.
Foley and Edwards signed contracts to 2010 when they joined from Luton in August 2007 and January 2008 respectively.
Announcements are expected shortly on their deals.
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
He has been a good signing but I feel that we have to look at better players in his position. In other words, Craddock, Henry, Edwards, Jones, Iwelumo, Keogh are at best bench warmers!
Report abuse
Agree with you 1. He was a good signing, when we couldnt get better, but surely he will be out of his depht in the Premiership.
Report abuse
brummierobwolves Karl Henry will be a star in the prem so remember I told you so, it suits his game people only knock him because he does not get forward very often but he will controll a lot of game next year. More than 1 prem team looked at him in the Jan window.
Report abuse
Well done, we just need a combative/creative centre midfield partner for him.
Report abuse
I agree brummie.
Report abuse
Well done Karl! I think he could actually surprise a lot of people next season. Strong, calm, fabulous ‘engine’ and kept us moving all season, in what was effectively a 4-2-4 many times. Covers every blade of grass every week and I’d have him every day of the week over the likes of Butt, Nolan, Mokoena, Andrews, Muamba, Michael Brown.
Maybe I’m being a bit biased here?
All hail King Henry!!
Report abuse
1. Couldn’t agree more.. We definately need better midfield players than karl henry, but at the same time, you have to recognise his acheivment as a player, so fair play to him.
Report abuse
1 the rest of the Prem are scared by the major players you have.
Burnley will do a lot better than you lot, they play more football. Never mind you also have Ward and when you sign some other mighty players from the CCC you will be ready to go back down.
Report abuse
Gaffer obviously sees something we don’t; but there again! – a certain defensive player on a 4-year?
Report abuse
1.Spot on!
5. Concentrate on your own team.2nd half of the season was relegation form! Maybe you were found out easily.
Report abuse
1.Spot on!
8. Concentrate on your own team.2nd half of the season was relegation form! Maybe you were found out easily.
edit.
Report abuse
villian-mug
Report abuse
Karl Henry has mostly gone about his business quietly and has contributed to our promotion
There were “rumours” of Prem clubs “interest” but how true that was – we will never really know
The lad should be part of the “squad” in the Prem BUT imv he hasnt got enough in his locker to do the role he did for us in the Chumpionship – A bargain at £100k and served the club well BUT we need an experienced Prem Proven Player to do the role our Henry did – as I believe he will be found wanting against quite a few Prem teams without a more experienced head alongside him
No 8 Worry about the lack of investment at your own club – as it looks like the “quiet” man that owns your lot has nothing to say and looks like he expects Martin O to do a “Leicester at the Villa”
NB* Must admit though it was a shrewd bit of business pretending to buy Curtis Davies for £9m from Boggies – Just wondered how much Luke Moore was valued at as part of that deal? ;-)
Report abuse
no.8, yes they play better football than us but they also finished 20 points behind us?! Obviously a sad baggie in disguise. I think Karl Henry will surprise quite a few next season but I feel Huddlestone and Shaun Davies or Gary Oneil have to brought in as I dont think Dave Edwards is ready. Kyle Naughton, Steven Hunt and Kevin Doyle we could go and get now!
Report abuse
Should be looking to offload him in the close season. Okay at Championship level out of his depth in the premier
Report abuse
No ambition!! Time to offload our poorer players icluding Henry, Collins, Ward etc.
Report abuse
Prem players start somewhere.They don’t just appear. Karl like others will grow into the Prem.
Give them a chance !!!!
Report abuse
8….Isn’t Gareth Barry up for sale?
When you say Ward do you mean Stephen Ward the Irish International. The guy who had a fantastic season playing left-back.
Unlike….Nicky Shorey and Luke Young to name two.
Lets hope your management team know more about Wolves than you do…Otherwise you in trouble tough guy.
Report abuse
Dont agree with number 1 he’s a fool i should i go to every game with him!!!
KH will not be out his depths in Premiership,he will grow as player as he will have more time on the ball.Mark my words if not call me a fool like number 1 is!!!
Up the Wolves
Report abuse
For people who knock Karl Henry they should remember that in season 07-08, when he missed quite a few games through injury, we missed out on the play-offs. You could have a good case that his absence probably cost us. In the other two seasons where he has played majority of games, we have made the play-offs and won the Championship!
Give the lad a chance, I agree with some of the bloggers who actually think he will do well in the Premier League! He’s better than a lot of the garbage midfielders we are being linked with.
Up the Wolves!
Report abuse
agree with 8, we need to sign beeter players than henry the likes of lampards and the gerrards will walk all over him, i thought we were being ambitious
Report abuse
The Premiership seems to suit some players who we plebs might not have thought up to it. I never expected Andrews to reach the heights he has done and yet, following his move to Blackburn under Ince, he still plays courtesy of Allardyce. And good luck to him. We may be surprised by some of our current crop next season.
Report abuse
Henry will suprise a few in the prem next season. Instead of knocking some of our players cast an eye on some who have gone on to be prem players ie Andrews, slagged off for being no good in the chanpionship but both ince & alladyce seem to disagree.
Report abuse
as ever, plenty of ‘loyalty’ shown by our faithful fans. How about Karl Henry having earnt himself a shot in the Premiership on the basis of a good Championship season.
Yes he needs to venture forward a bit more and play a few more forward passes. However, he’s exactly the type of covering midfielder that all quality prem sides have – think of what Mascherano does for Liverpool – not much of a goal threat but protects the defence.
Fair play to you Karl….and a Wednesfield lad as well (I’m not his dad btw even though it might sound like it!)
Report abuse
9, Ron Davies – you talk nonsesne.
Is this the same gaffer who won us the league by 7 points ?
If its ok with you, Ill trust his opinion over yours. Some people just cant give credit.
Henry had his poor games, but overall was superb. its not his job to create, its to get and give. I think he’ll do that well next year, but he will need help, and Im sure the club are working towards that.
Report abuse
it doesn`t surprise me that half the fans critisize Henry,because most of you know nothing about it,makele made a career of henry does,its not henry thats the problem its the quality along side him.
Report abuse
Sorry Henry no good for the prem if this is our ambition looks like the summer of 2003 all over again we will be down by xmas i hope i am proved wrong get some decent mf players in!!
Report abuse
I am one of the biggest wolves fans going, but please god all you idiots that actually reckon KH can make it in the prem must be having a laugh!
It just confirms my belief that the majority of wolves fans know nothing about real football!
The bloke tries (granted) and “puts in a shift” but has no real ability on the ball, cant pass and very rarely gets a goal!
argue with that! its FACT!
Report abuse
Henry cannot pass to his own player quite a fundamental flaw. biggest weakness in the team
Report abuse
8) You must be a big Villa fan. You can’t even spell your clubs nickname.
Karl Henry – I have always supported. I said the season before last that him and Seyi are worth some money when everyone was slating them and I was right. I still however stand by my comments that we will need someone better in that position.
19) You are an imposter. Buffoon!
Report abuse
KH was great last season and is one of our most under estimated players. Trouble is, if you aren’t scoring goals or whipping in crosses many of the Wolves fans don’t notice how valuable you are.
He’d be one of the first names on the teamsheet for me next year.
Report abuse
1, 2, 5, 7, 11, 15, 16, 21, 27, 28 (seems quite angry), 29 maybe we should transfer you for some premiership quality fans? Not that my knowledge of football is a patch on any of the above but I reckon strength in depth may come in useful next season.
Report abuse
Read Chris Iwelumo’s comments on Henry and you will realise why he is so valuable to the Wolves, his break up of the opponents attacks were invaluable last season, and he was a major factor in our success.
Unfortunately some people will never truly appreciate what Karl does, as he is not a flair player who will be beat 5 players and score a 30 yard screamer.
I for one think that he has the potential to become a superstar in the premiership
Report abuse
28,29, spot on Armitage cow was you there at Coventry City away where a very poor Coventry team run rings around our midfield i hate to think what will happen next season if Henry plays every game next season we will end up with less points then Derby!!
Report abuse
Karl Henry is a steady championship player but sorry I can’t see him making the grade in the Premier League, he’ll have to play above himself next season if he’s going to make an impact and I can’t see that happening.
Fair enough he may well have earned his chance but sentimentality won’t work for us next season. On the other front we have made a move in transfer market according to Sky Sports for a Serbian international, 3 million euros the first bid. The club must remember what happened last time when we brought foreigner players for our first season in the prem, Henri Camara only came good when the damage was already done so not too many players from the Europe because it may well back fire like what happened to the Albion this season.
Report abuse
No TelfordWolves missed it was actually in Utrecht for work. Surely Kightly, Jarvis and Quashie should take some of the blame for our mid field being over run? As I say having some depth to the squad will be great. If we sign some one better to play a similar role to Henry happy days! But we always need back up, look at Hull and Jimmy Bullard plays about 50 mins and then he’s out for 6 months.
Report abuse
some right comedians on here thanks for the laughs guys
Report abuse