Football: Ryan Delaney signs Rochdale contract extension

Ryan Delaney

Ryan Delaney has signed an extension to his current contract - he is now contracted to Rochdale Football Club until 2021.

The 21-year-old joined Dale in January from Burton Albion and has impressed during his short time at the club. He played 22 times during the second half of the 2017/18  season following his arrival and scored two goals, as Dale fought off relegation and enjoyed successes in the FA Cup.

After starting his career at Wexford Youths, he moved to Burton in 2016 and went on a season-long loan to Cork City last January. He returned to Burton in December at the end of his loan deal.

Delaney started 30 of Cork’s 33 league games, scoring five goals along the way, as the side were crowned League of Ireland champions. He also helped Cork to FAI Cup success, as they did the double, notching up 49 appearances in total during his spell there.

His outstanding performances for Cork earned him a place in the PFAI Team of the Year.

He said: “The manager has shown faith in me, so hopefully now I can prove it and give something back to him.

“Over the last six months I think the gaffer and the coaching staff have helped me to improve a lot. Hopefully now in the following years I can keep on improving.

“There have been so many memories, and highs and lows, from since I joined in January. Playing against Millwall and Spurs was crazy. Getting the opportunity to play against players of a higher standard and then to stay out of the relegation zone on the final day was fantastic.”