Kenyan striker Jonah Ayunga has extended his contract with Scottish top-flight side St. Mirren.
Ayunga’s contract was set to expire at the end of the current season and he has now renewed his deal until June 2025. A statement on the club’s official website confirmed: “St Mirren is delighted to announce that Jonah Ayunga has signed a contract extension until summer 2025,” adding: “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. 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. As the forward nears a return to action, the club has moved to extend his deal to keep him tied to Saints for a further year.”
The player who has been out since February with an ACL revealed the decision to extend his contract was an easy one by saying: “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,” adding: “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 back fit but the fact the club has offered me it shows they believe in me and will support me through my recovery and building up to what I was before.”
Ayunga further admitted his working relationship with Stephen Robinson was a big factor in signing his new deal and spoke about the impact the manager has had on his career. “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,” adding: “The manager has given me a lot of advice, a lot of lessons and he obviously believes in me. I enjoy working with him so it was a no-brainer.”