Stevenage have extended the contract of defender Terence Vancooten, according to the club’s official website.
Vancooten has been with the Boro for six seasons, amassing 170 appearances during that time. The 25-year-old played a key part in the Stevenage defence which achieved automatic promotion having been one of the tightest defensive units in League Two last season.
Stevenage conceded the third least amount of goals during the 2022/23 season, their record was only bettered by title winners Leyton Orient and fourth-placed Stockport County. Vancooten would make 27 appearances for the Boro in their promotion season, with the majority coming in the first half of the season. In an FA Cup match against Stoke City in January the defender would suffer a hamstring injury which would keep him sidelined until early April. Prior to that injury, Vancooten had started 23 of a possible 25 games, and will no doubt be challenging for his place in Steve Evans’ side in League One next season.
Who is Terence Vancooten?
Originally with non-league Leatherhead and then Staines Town, Vancooten earned himself a move to the under-21 side at Reading. He would leave just over a year later to join Stevenage, where he has spent the last six seasons. In recent years, Vancooten has established himself as one of the brightest young defenders in League Two, and is a fan favourite at the Lamex. Already capped by the Guyanan national team 13 times, Vancooten has plenty of experience for a 25-year-old. Although his strongest position is arguably at centre-half, he has also been utilised as both a left and right back during his time with the Boro. His versatility does not stop there, with manager Steve Evans allowing him to step in to midfield on a number of occasions this season. At 25, there could be plenty more to come from the player, especially if he can stay fit. Although his maiden season in League One will be a step up, it looks like one that should not trouble the Guyanan international.
Vancooten is the latest of the promotion-winning side to re-sign for the forthcoming season, as Steve Evans continues to build the squad for the return to League One.
What’s been said?
Speaking on the extension of the defender’s contract and the plan for the rest of the window, chairman Phil Wallace said:
“Leon Hunter and Steve Evans have patiently been putting the majority of the team from last year back together, with some important improvements.
“Signing Taye Ashby-Hammond on a permanent from Fulham and doing new two-year deals for Luther, Terence and Jake Forster-Caskey means ten of last season’s squad will be with us next season and beyond.
“We’re now focused on adding experienced League One players to that group – with Nathan Thompson being a great example of that – and a couple of talented younger lads from top clubs, perhaps on loan”.
Writer’s view
This is an important re-signing for Stevenage, with the majority of last season’s promotion-winning squad staying on. Vancooten will be fighting for a starting spot in Steve Evans’ side, who should be competitive next season. With the transfer window now open, it would be no surprise to see Stevenage more active as they look to add more experience to their current roster.
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