Kyle Bennett has become the first of the championship winning squad to commit his future to Pompey, officially confirmed on portsmouthfc.co.uk
Ex-Bury and Doncaster winger, Bennett has signed a new three year contract.
In fairness Bennett had always maintained he wanted to stay at Fratton Park, as he did upon signing his new deal.
He said: ‘My intention has always been to stay at this club and sign a new deal. Having been here for two years now, I feel really settled and comfortable living in the area. It was a good time to get this sorted for me and my family.’
Bennett also thinks he’ll be better suited to life in League One as will the squad as a whole.
Adding: I think that the fans saw more of the real me this season and now I want to kick on as we head into League One. We all knew that promotion was the ultimate – and only – aim. But having played in three different divisions, I can tell you without doubt that the fourth tier is the hardest one to get out of. There is a lot more physicality needed, while League One is far more suited to our squad and the way that the gaffer likes us to play.’
A player who can divide opinion, a marmite player if you will as you either love him or hate him, Bennett had a good second half to the 2016-17 season, certainly the final months saw the winger show form at a time when it was really needed.
The cynics out there would think Bennett, 26, was playing for a move elsewhere or a new deal at Fratton. Well, he’s got that deal and all things considered I’m happy enough he has as I too believe he’ll do very well in League One.
But, a three year contract for? I’m not sure if Bennett warranted that long, a two year deal with the option of a third perhaps? Well, it’s done and dusted anyway, and all being well he’ll become the first of many to put pen to paper on new deals.
Michael Doyle has gone and Enda Stevens is going. However, Bennett has signed this new deal, Paul Cook is reportedly in talks over a new contract of his own and Jack Whatmough has made it clear he wants to stay at Fratton.
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