Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Youssouf Mulumbu signs new deal
Thursday 22nd July 2010, 11:00AM BST.
Albion midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu today followed in Graham Dorrans’ footsteps by extending his contract at the Hawthorns.
The 23-year-old has effectively committed his future until 2013 by signing a two-year deal, plus a one-year’s option in the club’s favour.
The news comes just three days after midfield lynchpin Dorrans penned a new four-year agreement with a one-year option.
Mulumbu became a fans’ favourite last season with his dynamic displays in a defensive midfield role during the successful Championship promotion campaign.
Head coach Roberto Di Matteo said: “I’m delighted that another of our talented young players has committed his long-term future to the club.
“The great thing about Youssouf is that he’s a humble guy who wants to learn.”
The Congo international, currently retired from international football because of a dispute with his country’s football federation, is now preparing for his first full season in the Premier League.
Mulumbu joined the Baggies on loan from Paris Saint-Germain for the second half of Tony Mowbray’s top-flight campaign. Injury restricted him to six appearances but he did enough to earn a £175,000 permanent move to the Hawthorns last summer.
His initial contract had a year remaining plus a year’s option in the club’s favour, but a summer of negotiations have now led to a one-year extension.
The midfield powerhouse was linked with a move to Newcastle this summer, but the Baggies were always keen to extend his deal and he appears set to become a crucial member of Di Matteo’s Premier League line-up.
Sponsored Links
UK Sport
Latest Blog — Microsoft Comes to the University of Wolverhampton
Last week Microsoft visited the University of Wolverhampton to give students the chance to develop their own phone apps that could be published on the Windows Phone Marketplace.
Technology blog
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
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
Fantastic news – this lad is a star and will attract a lot of attention next year so well done to all concerned in getting signed up.
I see him and Jara having great season and their work will allow Dozza, Mozza ect to cause some problems to opponents.
I would rather see this type of business done than wasting money on dross like Titus Bramble.
Report abuse
It would be good to see a couple of new faces in the squad,but the priority is to tie up the young quality players we already have,so this is great news.Whatever happens,it’s a win-win situation,we either keep someone with quality,or get a bigger transfer fee for him.As usual,smart business at the Hawthorns.
Report abuse
Roberto Di Matteo is subject of an approach by Fulham – it is on one of the Fulham sites.
Report abuse
Too right, just as big as Dorrans last season in my book.
Report abuse
A step in the right direction following on from Dorrans. Still need to strengthen though a left back and one or two strikers should be a priority.
Report abuse
Happy I agree. Titus Gamble!
Still need a few faces to freshen it up, but at least we are getting those already here looked after.
I also think Mozza will be more influential this season. The premier league is definitely where he is better suited. After his heal injury cleared up he was still only regaining match fitness by the end of last season. With a full pre-season and the frustration of a lost campaign he should be wound up and ready to go!
Report abuse
yippee
Report abuse
great news!
He’s no the biggest but gets stuck in,
Mulumbu will be a vital player for us this season.
Report abuse
Size of body, important, size of heart essential! Nobby Stiles and Alan Ball were relative midgets when compared to Jack Charlton etc.,but one was like an angry wasp, the other a waspy playmaker. Mulumbu will annoy the Premier fancy-Dans with his busy tackling. Some freedom for Mozza and Dozza, (sounds like a comedy duo), as a result. Midfield we should be good enough.
The Fulham interest in RdM ? I haven’t seen that anywhere, but they have approached Martin Jol I think.
Report abuse
Another one who has obviously demanded a pay-rise. I remember him coming out saying he would be interested in joining Newcastle less than a year ago not that much of a humble guy. Lets see how humble RDM is because Fulham apparently have made an approach for him as Martin Jol wants to stay at Ajax. If he goes who will we replace him with?!
Report abuse
Apparently dave jones favourite for fulham job. I personally think fulham have over ahcieved and due to the lack of current leadership during pre season i feel they may well struggle at the bottom next season.
Report abuse
9 WBA in the heart
I don’t think any such quotes have come from Mulumbu, but there have been a few dodgy ones from his agent. There have been dodgy quotes from Dorrans’ agent too. I don’t think it’s a reason for any of us to think bad of either of them.
None of us know what Mulumbu was on previously but I imagine pittence compared to the likes of Luke Moore. Personally I’ve no problem with Mulumbu either asking for parity in terms of his wages or getting it because as everyone above says, he’s massive for us, arguably more vital than Dorrans, and I fear we may well lose him next year. At least this way we get a sizeable fee.
I read an RDM quote saying “I don’t know where this has come from” with regards the Fulham link. Don’t know how genuine this is. I’d hope he’d stay for at least another year.
Report abuse
Martin Jol has had to turn down Fulham because of his contract with Ajax. Dave Jones is favourite, but, RDM is definately on Fulham’s hit list. Apart from Jol’s contract mean sweet FA anyway !
Europe, London, Al Fayad money it may be tempting.
No signings to speak of, turned down on a daily basis by supposed targets, a reluctance to spend money on areas Stevie Wonder could spot. It may be very tempting.
Report abuse
I think now is the worst possible time for Fulham to come in for RDM as I feel that he is a very intelligent football man who can identify where we need to strengthen to stay up but with JP not backing him financially like he did with Mowbray he may well be tempted to go to Fulham and not have a relegation on his CV.
If he did go I would like to see Dave Jones or Alan Curbishley.
Report abuse
Anyone who says they aren’t flattered by an approach when ‘head-hunted’ is either lying or fooling themselves. On the plus side, RdM has already won over the fans, the club pays the wages regularly, it is growing visibly from the Youth team upwards, the training and medical facilities are second to none, there’s a big adventure to come and wits to be pitted against established giants. I wouldn’t walk away from that. I don’t know about you.
Report abuse
9 & 12 Wulfies.
We feel your desperation.
We hear your cries for help.
We sense your fears.
Please tell us what we can do to reassure you.
We are Baggies fans with big hearts so just come on here in your true colours and ask for our help.
We promise to do our best.
Great news about Youssuf. Shame it couldn’t have been four years or am I being greedy.
Report abuse
Just going back to the story – I much prefered Youssouf Mulumbu after he changed his name to Cat Stevens.
Report abuse
15. Desperation, cries for help, fear, in need of reassurance – are you sure you are not refferring to your summer transfer activities?
We will finish above Albion by at least 8 points and your time of beating us will be over. Very cocky for a newly promoted side and the second favourites to go straight back down.
Report abuse
Before Bully Who and the other music experts all shout at me, i do realise he WAS Cat Stevens and then changed his name to Youssouf Mulumbu…… just prior to signing for the baggies…..
Sorry for the confusion.
Report abuse
regarding fulham after rdm is old new its on a few sites but could u blame him going when there would be transfer funds available where as at the albion there obviously isnt any. pleased with mulumbu signing a new deal shows we can keep our decent players but still think there are players who shud be released in leon barnett,luke moore
Report abuse
18 yewtree.
How do you know there are no transfer funds available? Do you think the Chairman should be in the media boasting about how much we have in the kitty?
Should they be released into the wild? They are both on contracts. We can’t just break a legally binding contract unless they agree. We would have to pay up the rest of their contracts.
Report abuse
Fulham have already been in for Mad-Mick but he’s said he wants to stay at wolves as he is now getting on with the fans. He states they have the
memmory span of a GOLD fish.
~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse
You can’t blame any bloke for changing his name from ‘Cat’ to ‘Joe’. Who did he play for anyway? My musical hero had a funny name too,
Ludwig van Btopen. He drove a truck for British Telecoms.
Report abuse
You can’t blame any bloke for changing his name from ‘Cat’ to ‘Joe’. Who did he play for anyway? My musical hero is Ludwig van Btopen.
He drove a truck for British Telecoms.
Report abuse
Got brilliant staff and players at ALBION. how do I know. EVERYBODY WANTS THEM.
~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse