Bean signs 1-year extension

Last updated : 21 June 2004 By Mark O' Haire
Marcus Bean has signed his first Professional contract with Rangers, putting pen to paper on a 1-year extension to his existing one year deal.

The former Rangers scholar was offered professional terms by the club as a reward for an outstanding season which saw him make 23 league starts for the R's, and take the gong for Rangers Young Player of the Year.

Bean, a product of the Rangers youth set up has been at QPR since he was 11 years of age, and he was understandably delighted at signing on for an additional year, which will see him stay at Loftus Road until June 2006. Speaking to the Official Website he said:

“It feels great to sign professional terms. It’s been the icing on the cake for what has been a fantastic season for the Club and me personally.

“I feel that my performances have improved considerably from when I first played for the first team last season, and I am looking to continue from where I left off in the new campaign.”

Bean is particularly looking forward to now turning his focus to the challenge of preparing himself for battle in the Coca Cola Championship, and putting the pressure on for selection in the centre of the Rangers midfield.

“There’s a lot of big name players in the First Division, a lot of players that I admire, and I just want to go out there and do my bit for the club.

“Personally, I want to build on my performances from last season and play more games.”

Rangers Manager Ian Holloway was also delighted at securing the services of the Rangers Young Player of the Year 2003/04, and believes he will only improve on the performances which saw him make a substantial contribution to Rangers’ promotion success. Ollie told the Official Website:

“Everybody at the club is delighted for him, Beanie has been a so called surprise package.

“He burst on to the scene last year and what he did for us is gave us someone who could breakdown the opposition. He broke things up and we were really excited at how he stepped in.

“I think he’s made the right decision to resign and I think he’ll really blossom in the next few years.

“A lot of work that a player like Marcus does can go unnoticed, but he’s a destroyer. One of his best attributes is his ability to break up oppositions patterns of play and rhythm.

“Every team needs players like that and I happy that Marcus has pledged his future to Rangers.”

"Beanie" has made 38 league appearances since bursting onto the scene in August 2002 and is the first of a number of players to agree to new contract offers since promotion. Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands are both also set to sign on the dotted line in the next couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, Richard Johnson, Matthew Rose and Richard Edghill are all stil pondering on their futures. All three are expected to renew their deals in the coming weeks.

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