Bengaluru hand new deal to Rooney

After renewing his contract, Australian goal-poacher Sean Rooney expressed hope that the upcoming season will be better than the one he had with Bengaluru FC this term.

The 25-year-old forward renewed his contract yesterday for another term (until the end of 2014/15 season) with the I-League Champions 2013/14, following a remarkable season which saw him get on the scoresheet ten times.

In the process, he also became the second-highest goalscorer for the Blues – behind league topscorer and teammate Sunil Chhetri, who notched up 14 goals.

"I am very happy to have signed on for another year and I can only hope that the coming season is better than the one I have had," Rooney was quoted as saying in his club's official site.

"Also, there is the AFC Cup to look forward to and these are exciting times."

Bengaluru gaffer Ashley Westwood has also praised the performances of Rooney in their debut campaign, and he feels retaining the Aussie striker’s services for another year would help the Blues in defending the title in the 2014/15 season.
"We are busy planning on how we can improve and try and defend the title," Westwood said.

"One key step was to retain the services of top striker Sean Rooney, which we have!"

Rooney played the end of the season through the pain barrier, suffering from a double hernia. He flew down to Australia the day after Bengaluru clinched the League against Dempo in Goa to begin treatment.

Meanwhile, Westwood lamented the departure of Liberian schemer Johnny Menyongar, after the 33-year-old was released yesterday.

The decision was taken with an eye to the next season, and according to Westwood, not renewing the contract of Menyongar was the toughest decision of his career.

"I'm looking forward to the new season now that all the celebrations are done with. Unfortunately, we have decided not to retain the services of John Menyongar," the former Manchester United Academy Graduate told Bengaluru's official site.

"Although we were in agreement that John played a massive part in us winning the League but as a Club we need to keep trying to improve all the time."