New contract for the player who refused to leave Rotherham United on a full deal

STRIKER Josh Kayode rejected the opportunity to say a permanent farewell to Rotherham United as clubs queued up for his services late last week.  

The 23-year-old was a wanted man in the final few days of the transfer window, with the number of League One teams registering their interest stretching into double figures.

However, the player, whose contract was due to expire next summer, refused to sever his seven-year ties with the Championship Millers and opted for a third loan spell at Carlisle United instead.

“We accepted offers from a couple of clubs,” manager Matt Taylor said. “He turned those moves down. That was his decision and I have no problem in relation to that. I understand it and respect it.”

The bids are believed to have been in six figures.

Rotherham extended Kayode's contract by a year before he headed to Cumbria to avoid the prospect of him becoming a free agent and leaving AESSEAL New York Stadium for nothing at the end of the season.

The centre-forward missed nearly all of last year through injury and found himself down the Millers pecking order when he returned to the fold in July.

"I've liked what I've seen of him generally," said Taylor. "But with Sam Nombe coming in, with Jordan Hugill, Andre Green and Tom Eaves being available and with Georgie Kelly to come back when he's fit as well, we felt that letting him go out was the right thing to do.

“I really hope he goes and plays games consistently."