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It's not going to make up for Wednesday's crushing 2-1 loss in Mexico City, but American midfielder Clint Dempsey got a spot of good news Thursday when Fulham extended his contract with the English club until the end of the 2012-13 season. The contract extension might be considered a late reward for the 26-year-old Texas native, who's goal against Liverpool late in the 2006-07 Premier League season helped keep Fulham in the top flight as his contract was set to expire at the end of this year.
Dempsey, who moved to Craven Cottage from the New England Revolution in 2007 for $4 million, has steadily improved each season in England. Last year, as Fulham finished its best-ever seventh in the league, Dempsey co-lead the team with seven league goals.
He's seemed to thrive under Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, as Dempsey's turned from a fancy dribbler with an eye for goal into a more complete, well-rounded two-way midfielder. For whatever reason, this hasn't exactly translated into his form with the U.S. national team, where he remains more of a threat when moved into a forward role closer to goal.
More importantly, Dempsey's been one of the few American field players able to establish himself as a key contributor in the Premier League. For the upcoming 2009-10 season that begins this weekend, Demspey is probably the only American non-keeper with the possible exception of Jonathon Spector at West Ham who should see action. Jozy Altidore is still acclimating himself to Hull City and young defender Eric Lichaj trying to establish himself with the Aston Villa first team.
Dempsey, it's rumored, it's making some nice coin, too, somewhere in the range of $60,000 per week.
