‘We felt it was time to reward him’ – Millwall boss Neil Harris on new improved deal for Ryan Leonard

Millwall head coach Neil Harris has talked about Ryan Leonard being rewarded for an excellent 2023-24 season by signing an improved contract.

The 32-year-old had already triggered an appearance-based clause in his old deal which extended his stay until the summer of 2025.

Millwall fans voted Leonard as their Player of the Season. He made 37 appearances and excelled at right wing-back.

When the Lions re-signed the former Southend and Sheffield United player in June 2023 his earnings took a drop due to his injury record in recent campaigns.

But Leonard once again underlined his importance and influence with his displays in the season just completed.

“Ryan was under contract anyway, with an option clause,” Harris told the South London Press.

“We felt it was time to reward him with a contract that shows his value to the football club after Ryan’s performances last season – to win triple Player of the Year awards, to perform as well as he did and prove his fitness, like he did, in the second half of the season.

“Ryan has adjusted his deal with an opportunity to extend that contract and stay with us longer.

“We’re absolutely delighted and Ryan is delighted. He was a huge leader as well as a really big performer when I came back into the building. He has been rewarded accordingly – it is what we want to do as a club.

“We want to reward players when they do well – that should be for ones coming into the group at 16, 17 and 18 but also for players that are slightly older and more senior statesmen.

“I played with Ryan when he was 18 at Southend and he was strong and athletic even back then. That hasn’t changed.

“I’m really going to focus him and help him keep developing as a player, as a full-back, but also physically make sure we keep him in excellent shape as much as possible, to make sure he is fit and available as much as possible. Ultimately he makes us a better team when he is available.

“The balance with a senior player is that we want to push him and use him as much as possible, but also we have to get the balance between getting his training and match minutes right as well.”