Thirlwell accepts contract offer
Club captain Paul Thirlwell has this evening accepted his one-year contract offer and will remain at Brunton Park until the summer of 2014.
Thirlwell, 34, initially joined the Cumbrians on a three-month loan deal from Derby County in September 2006.
His loan spell at Brunton Park went extremely well - so well, in fact, that he signed a two-and-a-half year contract during the January 2007 transfer window.
“Paul is extremely well respected in the dressing room and is a fantastic role model for any young player to look up to,” manager Greg Abbott said.
“He plays a vital role in the team and in the squad and we are delighted that he will be staying with us next season. The players listen to him and he leads by example with the job he does once he crosses the white line.
“Paul will be registered as a player first and foremost and it will be up to him to fight for his place in the side, along with everyone else. If he’s in form and playing regularly then that will only be good for everyone. We can look at how things develop for him from there.”
Thirlwell started his career at Sunderland, making 77 first team appearances, and enjoyed a loan spell with Swindon prior to signing for Sheffield United in the summer of 2004, before moving on to the Rams in the summer of 2005.
We’ll be getting reaction from Paul Thirlwell on Monday afternoon.