A day after being announced in Scotland’s World Cup squad, reports from Pete O’Rourke have suggested that Norwich City captain Kenny McLean has agreed a new two-year deal.
The 34 year-old central midfielder has proved himself to be a key player for Philippe Clement, and his leadership has proved pivotal for the Canaries over the last few years.
It had been suggested that the club had activated an optional one-year contract extension in his previous contract that would keep the Scotland international at the club for the coming 2026/27 season; however, it was uncertain whether he would remain in Norfolk past this point.
This means that today’s news will be greatly appreciated by Canary fans, bringing certainty that their 2025/26 Barry Butler winner will have a minimum of two more years in their yellow and green strip.
With Ben Knapper pushing the age profile of the squad down drastically during his time at the club, Kenny McLean has only become more important to the club, whilst Belgian manager Clement managed to unlock a further gear in his game towards the end of the season.
McLean has been near ever-present for Norwich in recent years. In the 2023/24 season, he missed just 50 minutes of the entire league campaign as Norwich went on to record a play-off finish.
This season, he notched up 42 appearances, providing three goals and four assists as Norwich finished the season on a high.
Of the last 16 league games that McLean has missed, going back to the start of the 2023/24 season, Norwich have won just three, drawing four and losing nine.
This shows the reliance that the club have on their captain and whilst, they will need to find an effective plan B due to the age of their star midfielder the urgency of this task has at least been reduced by today’s reports.
However, McLean’s attention will be firmly on the upcoming World Cup.
