Veteran striker Billy Sharp has signed a new one-year deal to keep him at Doncaster Rovers until 2026.
The 39-year-old moved back to the Eco-Power stadium for the fourth time last summer, following the expiration of his Hull City contract.
Sharp’s Impressive Career
Sharp has racked up a reputation of being one of the best goalscorers of this generation, scoring 130 goals in over 400 Championship appearances for seven clubs. At the time of writing, he is still the all-time Championship top scorer (since the league’s rebrand in 2004), seven in front of second-placed Jordan Rhodes and nine in front of third-placed David Nugent.
Starting his career at Sheffield United, the Englishman moved to Scunthorpe United permanently in 2005, before moving back to Bramall Lane in 2007. He then made the switch to Doncaster, originally on loan in 2009, before moving permanently in 2010.
He spent two years at Donny before joining Southampton for a substantial seven-figure fee in 2012. Loan moves to Nottingham Forest, Reading and back to Doncaster in the next two seasons followed, before he moved to Leeds United in the summer of 2014. He stayed put at Leeds for almost a year before moving back to his boyhood club, the Blades, where he spent a further eight years, and the majority of his career. In all competitions at Sheffield United, Sharp netted 129 times and added a further 42 assists in 377 games.
A move to America followed, the 39-year-old moving to LA Galaxy, where again, he stayed for almost a year, before moving back to England and joining Hull. However, after just six months at the MKM Stadium, where he scored no goals in 12 games, Sharp moved back to Doncaster for the fourth time in his career.
After playing 51 times this season, scoring 12 goals and helping Grant McCann’s side to the League Two league title, the veteran striker has penned a new one-year deal, as the side look ahead to competing in the third tier of English football this season.
McCann’s High Praise
Rovers manager McCann had high praise for the 39-year-old, telling the club’s official website:
“I’m really pleased to have Billy on board for next season. He played a huge part in our success both on and off the pitch, and I’ve no doubt that he’ll do the same again over the next 12 months.
“His hunger remains as strong as ever, especially when it comes to scoring goals, and he’s a natural leader whose experience will continue to be vital for us.”
Writer’s View
Whilst his age may deceive some people, the fact that Sharp is still managing to play over 50 games in one season at the age of almost 40 is certainly impressive, and shows his longevity in the game.
His experience will help Doncaster both on and off the pitch, especially with the club looking to become an established League One side again. This summer transfer window could prove crucial if they want to make it happen, but renewing Sharp’s and Ian Lawlor’s contracts is a starting point.
