Barnsley are understood to have taken their option to extend Victor Adeboyejo’s contract by another year.
The 23-year-old striker’s deal was due to expire in the summer but the Chronicle understands that – after he broke back into the first team under Valerien Ismael – the Reds have decided to move early and take their option of another season.
Adeboyejo was loaned out to lower league clubs last season and netted just two goals in 38 games but has since broken into the Reds’ Championship side, scoring at Derby County and the winner at home to Preston North End.
He has not scored for nine matches, starting the last four, but has been played on the left of a front three.
Adeboyejo told the Chronicle: “It’s been an up and down journey for me but you just have to keep fighting and learning and believe in yourself.
“The gaffer has obviously come in and given everyone an opportunity to play. It’s my period to be playing in the team. Hopefully I can repay him with good performances and stats.
“As a striker you are judged on goals and assists. That’s my next step and I am working on getting in those goal-scoring positions. It is a different position but there are still chances to be had so I just need to stay sharp and positive and take my opportunities when they come.”
Adeboyejo has been joined in the strikers’ department by January signing Carlton Morris. He said: “There’s a lot of competition. Everyone is fighting with each other to get in the squad, but we’re fighting to do well for the team as well.”
Barnsley face Chelsea in the FA Cup next month after league games against Nottingham Forest and Derby.
“It is in the back of my mind and we are all excited but our focus is on the Nottingham Forest game. We have aims and targets for the season so we want to get ourselves back to winning ways with three points on Saturday.”
Barnsley lost a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City on Wednesday.
“The boys are disappointed because we were doing well. But we have to be switched on for 90 minutes with the qualities Cardiff have. A draw is maybe fair but I thought we should have got the three points. The referee giving strange decisions against us is difficult.
“But that will happen sometimes and we have to stay switched on.
“The run of form wasn’t the best but it is a good point in the right direction.”
