Midfielder Charlie Owens has signed a new one-year deal with Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers.
The 23-year-old, who has been with the west London club for four years, has been sidelined for the past two seasons with persistent knee problems which have required two major operations.
Speaking to the club’s website, the former Northern Ireland Under-21 international said: “To sign a new deal is very pleasing. The whole of my last contract I spent in the gym, so I am hugely grateful to the club, to Les Ferdinand and to the gaffer for giving me more time to show what I can do.”
Since arriving from Spurs in 2017, Owens has managed to make just three appearances for the Hoops, but he is determined next season to force his way into the first team reckoning.
“It has meant a lot to me having the backing of Mark Warburton and Les Ferdinand,” added Owens, who won three international caps at U21 level, “it has meant a lot to me how they have stuck by me.
“I am not established, I have only played a handful of games, but they have backed me.
“I just want to get through pre-season in one piece, do the best I can and repay everyone that has believed in me. I am not young anymore – it’s time for me to start playing.”
Meanwhile, two Northern Ireland under-21 internationals have signed long-term contracts with League One side Fleetwood Town.
Midfielder Barry Baggley, 20, has penned a three-year deal that will tie him to Highbury until the end of the 2023-24 season with the club having a further 12-months option on his contract.
“Barry has great ability,” said Town’s Development Head coach Stephen Crainey. “I think he was really unfortunate with injuries last season, but I have no doubts with him.
“The pre-season games he played last season, especially against Blackburn, he was outstanding against their first team, and he showed what he could do.”
Also committing his future to the Cod Army is Chris Conn-Clarke who has signed a two-year professional contract following his move from Premier League side Burnley last February.
Town’s Academy manager Jack Higgins said: “Chris has settled in really well at Fleetwood Town and shown his quality in training and games. He’s fully deserving of this new contract, and we look forward to watching him develop further this season.”
