Rovers keep hold of Ooijer
27 Feb 2008 - 13:43:19
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- Rovers keep hold of Ooijer
Blackburn Rovers have taken up an option to keep Dutch defender Andre Ooijer at Ewood Park next season.
The 33-year-old joined Rovers in the summer of 2006 from PSV Eindhoven and had been targeted by both his former club and Ajax for a possible return to his homeland.
However, Rovers have opted to keep the versatile Ooijer on, with chairman John Williams paying a glowing tribute to the Holland stopper.
He told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "We had until March 31 to exercise the option, but we have decided to do it now because Andre has been brilliant for us.
"When we negotiated the original deal, we always felt that was something that we'd want to do and who is to say Andre won't be with us for many more years to come?
"We are still talking to a number of players about new deals and those discussions are on-going.
"Continuity and stability is vital if we want to go forward and this is an important part of that process."
Ooijer has made 54 appearances for Rovers to date and has yet to open his goalscoring account for the club.