‘Mountain’ Pinnock pens new Brentford deal

LONDON, England (CMC):

Brentford manager Thomas Frank has hailed Jamaica international Ethan Pinnock as "a mountain in defence" after the centre-back penned a new four-year contract with the English Premier League (EPL) outfit on Saturday.

The new deal will see the 30-year-old, six-foot, two-inch standout extend his stay in west London until 2027, a massive boost for the club after they completed an impressive ninth-place finish in their second straight stint in the top flight.

"This is great news for Brentford, and I am incredibly pleased that we have Ethan with us for four more years. I am sure our fans are delighted," Frank said.

"Ethan has been a mountain in defence for us for the last four years. He played a key role in our journey to the top half of the Premier League. He is a top, top player and a great person.

"He has stepped seamlessly into the Premier League, and it is an amazing story for him and football that he can progress from non-league to the top of the game so quickly.

"He has proven himself to be a typical Brentford signing, he meets every challenge he faces, and we think there is still more development for him."

Pinnock, who has been capped six times for the Reggae Boyz, joined Brentford in 2019 from Barnsley and quickly became a key player, helping them gain promotion to the Premiership two years later.

All told, he scored eight goals for the club, nicknamed 'the Bees', the latest coming on Saturday as the hosts shocked newly crowned champions Manchester City 1-0 at the Community Stadium on the final day of the season.

"His impact in both boxes has been very important for us," Frank continued.

"He is superb defensively in the air and on the ground and plays a key role in our set-pieces. I think we will see even more goals from him next season.

"Ethan has been so reliable and consistent for us, and I am sure that will continue. He will be spending the prime years of his career with us, and we look forward to him helping the team be successful in the coming seasons."

Pinnock, who started his career with non-league Dulwich Hamlet in 2010, has made 154 appearances for Brentford - 62 of which have now come in the Premier League.