Fulham have announced Denis Odoi has signed a two-year contract extension, with the option of a further 12 months.
The one-cap Belgian international started the club’s Premier League opener against Arsenal on Saturday after making 37 appearances last term as Fulham earned promotion.
Odoi is in his fifth season at Craven Cottage and has made 134 appearances for the Londoners.
Some Fulham supporters might argue the club needs to sign a replacement for the 31-year-old.
They could justify that claim by pointing out Odoi played 31 times in Fulham’s last Premier League stint and was a key part of a defence that conceded a league-high 81 goals.
However, that wouldn’t be fair on the versatile defender.
While it is normal to strive for more, Fulham have made a fine decision in rewarding Odoi for his hard work. In turn, it looks as if they’re learning from their top-flight period under Slaviša Jokanović.
Under the Serbian, Fulham failed to reward such commitment.
Instead, they spent more than £100 million on new recruits. Marcus Bettinelli, who was dropped from the first matchday squad of the campaign in favour of new signings Fabri and Sergio Rico, is a prime example of poor treatment at the previous regime.
Under Scott Parker, however, things look different.
Yes, Odoi perhaps isn’t the colossal defender Fulham fans are crying out for but he’s a fine character who carries out ambassadorial work for the Fulham FC Foundation and deserves to be treated with respect.
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