'I'd be stupid to leave' - Sigi

Sportsdesk • Published 2 Jun 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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GYLFI Sigurdsson admits he would be "stupid" to leave Reading at this stage of his career after signing a new three-year contract.

The 20-year-old hot prospect had been linked with a move to the Premier League after a sensational campaign for the Royals.

The Icelandic youngster smashed in 20 goals last terms to win the club's official, Chronicle-sponsored Player of the Season award.

But his exploits in his debut season in the first-team did not go unnoticed with Wolves, Bolton, Newcastle and Fulham among the clubs rumoured to be chasing the youngster.

However, Reading have acted swiftly to secure Sigurdsson's services by extending his existing contract by a further 12 months on improved terms, thus making him one of the highest earners at the Madejski Stadium.

And the attacking midfielder confessed he had no intention to leave for a club where he may not be guaranteed first team football.

"This is very good news for me," he said. "I am playing every week and I am happy to stay for at least another year.

"I signed a new contract just a few months ago, and having been offered a new contract again now, I'd be stupid to go elsewhere.

"I've finally got myself into the team, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else and not play or just sit on the bench. I want to play every Saturday and Reading is the right place for me to do that.

"With the way things have gone recently, everybody is feeling very positive. How we finished the season was incredible and if we can take that into next season it will be a good place to be."

Sigurdsson only signed a new deal last November having emerged from the Royals Academy sides.

He joined the club as a 15-year-old and exploded onto the scene last season, firstly under former boss Brendan Rodgers and then Brian McDermott.

His eye-catchying performances and goals were among the best highlights of the team's sensational finish to the campaign.

Royals director of football Nick Hammond said: "For a player of such a young age, in his first full season at Reading, to make the impact that he did was quite astonishing.

"For us to have secured his signature for another three years is excellent news because he is a top player with the ability and mentality to play at the very highest level."

It is thought Royals have inserted a minimum £3 million get-out-clause in Sigurdsson's contract.

And boss Brian McDermott expects him to keep getting better: "For him to score the amount of goals that he did this season was absolutely fantastic," he said.

"I know the type of person that he is and he certainly won't be resting on his laurels. If anything he'll want to better his performances next season and help the club get to where we want to be."

Meanwhile, Sigurdsson's transfer value shot up even more at the weekend when he made his senior international debut for Iceland in a 4-0 victory against Andorra.

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