Derry City boss Ruaidhri Higgins has secured James Akintunde and Cameron McJannett on new 18-month deals.
After Will Patching's return to Dundalk, Higgins snapped up striker Jamie McGonigle from Crusaders yesterday and he will be pleased to have tied Akintunde and McJannett down for next season.
London-born Akintunde has scored two goals to date but Higgins has been delighted with his all-round game.
“James is a player I didn’t know much about when I came in but has really impressed me since," Higgins remarked.
"He would say himself that he would like to score more goals but his workrate is phenomenal.
“He has great quality as as player and always trains and plays with a smile on his face. He is really popular with players and staff alike at this club.
“I think the fact that James has that, he wants to stay and be a part of what we’re trying to do. I’m absolutely delighted that he has agreed to stay on.”
McJannett, a centre-half, has played in all of the Foylesiders' league games this term and has scored four goals.
On the former Stoke City defender, Higgins said: “Cam has been superb in our back line no matter what formation we’ve played.
"He has been among the goals as well but his leadership skills and quality have really impressed me a for a player so young.
“I’ve been telling him since I came in that I want him to be at this club for the long term. We have him for 18 months now and I’m delighted with that to start with."
McJannett said: “I didn’t really know much about Derry before I came but I love it here. I’ve been made very welcome and it wasn’t a tough decision to stay on.”
“I’m looking forward to finishing the season strongly and we want to try to move forward now.
"Hopefully there will be big crowds back in the ground soon because there could be exciting times ahead at Derry City.”
