Thursday Sep 29 2005 12:37
Manchester City youngster Stephen Jordan has turned down the chance to leave Eastlands and has signed a new one-year contract with the club.
The defender had been on the fringes of the Citizens first team for the past two campaigns, but considered looking elsewhere when his contract expired at the end of last season.
However, manager Kevin Keegan persuaded him that this could be the year he finally makes the breakthrough.
"I am delighted that Stephen Jordan is staying. I talked long and hard to him and he did have opportunities to go," Keegan told the club's official website.
"There were clubs who wanted him. Most of those clubs didn't want to pay us any compensation.
"I said to him that I would not waive the compensation and he phoned me up and told that he did not want to leave Manchester City.
"I said to him to take the year with us and that he could always go to the other clubs then.
"I have promised him that if he is not featuring or part of the senior squad often enough then we would look at his situation at Christmas.
"I want him to break through this year to get in and around the team this season more than he was last year."
The 22-year-old made two first-team appearances for City last season, both as a substitute.
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