Kenyan striker signs new deal in Scotland

Kenyan striker Jonah Ayunga has signed a two-year contract extension with Scottish side St. Mirren, and he will now be tied to the club until June 2025.

Ayunga, who is close to making a comeback from an ACL tear that has kept him out of action since February, has been with St. Mirren since June 2022, and his contract was set to expire in June 2024 before the club offered a one-year renewal.

"St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Jonah Ayunga has signed a contract extension until summer 2025. The 26-year-old, who is edging closer to a return from injury, joined Saints from English side Morecambe in summer 2022 on an original two-year deal," read the statement from the club in part.

"He impressed in his first season at Saints with seven goals in 24 appearances before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a cinch Premiership match against Motherwell in January."

Ayunga, who has previously been on the books of Brighton, Morecambe, and Doncaster Rovers, among other clubs, expressed his delight at committing to the Scottish club. He says it was an easy decision to make after an offer he did not anticipate was tabled for him.

"The manager asked if I would like to extend my stay, and it was a no-brainer for me. I’m still injured at the moment, but it shows a lot of belief from the club and the gaffer", he told the club's official website.

"Before I got injured, I was enjoying it here more than I have at any other club. That’s down to the boys in the changing room, the manager, the staff, and just the feeling around the club with supporters.

I wasn’t really expecting to get an offer until I was back playing and fit, but the fact the club has offered me shows they believe in me and will support me through my recovery and building up to what I was before."

He added that coach Stephen Robinson played a part in his decision to extend, as the pair previously worked together at Morecambe and enjoy a good working relationship.

"When I first signed with the gaffer [at Morecambe], I had only been playing professional men’s football for a season at Bristol Rovers, so I was still getting used to the levels required and finding out what I needed to do as a player," he said.

"The manager has given me a lot of advice and a lot of lessons, and he obviously believes in me. I enjoy working with him, so it was a no-brainer."

Coach Robinson lauded the player and expressed his delight at having a chance to continue working together.

"Jonah was very good for us before he got injured, and it was important that we tied him down as he’ll be a big part of what we are doing. He’s a very talented player, and we’re backing him before he’s 100% fit again, but we are confident he will be and will play a big part in things. It's a credit to the football club as well that they’ve gone ahead and given him the contract on the basis that he’s not 100% fit yet," he said.

"Jonah has shown really steeliness and mental strength and really pushed himself every day, which he will get the rewards for. A lot of credit has to be paid to Gerry Docherty as well for keeping Jonah motivated and believing. He’s joining in with bits and pieces in training, and hopefully over the next few weeks we’ll get some reserve game time into him.

"When he’s joined in with training and done a little bit of finishing, he’s been getting rounds of applause. It’s a super group of boys. They support each other, and I can see why he feels at home because everybody wants him to do well."

Born in the UK, Ayunga is eligible to play for Kenya through his dad. In 2018, he was called up to the Kenya U23 team but did not feature. In past interviews, he has expressed his desire to play for the national team, the Harambee Stars.

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