Gabbidon's Future Hinges on Contract

Leaving?
By Chris O'Brien
September 2 2004

Lennie Lawrence has confessed that Danny Gabbidon's future at Ninian Park hinges on him signing a new contract with the club. The Welsh international defender sees his current deal expire in 2006 and the Bluebirds are expected to offer him a lucrative new deal in an attempt to keep him at the club.

Cardiff City boss Lennie Lawrence has confessed that Daniel Gabbidon’s future at Ninian Park depends on whether or not he signs a new contract with the club over the next year.

The highly-rated Welsh international is contracted with City until 2006, and Lawrence believes the player has what it takes to play at the highest level. He hopes that Gabbidon will extend his current deal with the Bluebirds, but has confessed that if he turned down a money-spinning deal then the club would be forced to cash-in on the centre-half.

“I will be trying to do something concrete about extending Gabbidon’s contract in the near future,” said Lawrence. “I see him as the absolute future of Cardiff City Football Club and my intention is to make him the cornerstone of the team’s future.”

“We plan to offer Gabbidon a very lucrative contract and if he signs then it will be fine. If he does not then we would sell him at some-stage.”

Gabbidon has been subject to intense speculation over the past few seasons, having been linked with a number of high-profile clubs including Premiership champions Arsenal. Newspaper reports also recently suggested that Sir Bobby Robson was eyeing up the defender with the intention of bringing him to St.James’ Park.

Whether Gabbidon could make it in the Premiership is unknown, but he now forms an integral part of Mark Hughes’ Wales defence and the interest he has attracted from managers in England’s top division is evidence of what a good player he is. Little press coverage has been given to Lawrence’s quotes, but it is clear that an upcoming contract offer will decide whether Gabbidon remains a Bluebird for much longer.