FOOTBALL- ‘Mountain’ Pinnock pens new Brentford deal (includes quotes)

LONDON, CMC – Brentford manager Thomas Frank has hailed Jamaica international Ethan Pinnock as “a mountain in defense” after the center-back penned a new four-year contract with the Premier League 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 our mountain in defense for the last four years. He played a crucial role in our journey to the top half of the Premier League. He is a leading, top player and a great person.

“He has stepped seamlessly into the Premier League, and it is a fantastic 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.

He scored eight goals for the club, nicknamed “the Bees,” the latest Saturday as the hosts shocked newly crowned champions Manchester City 1-0 at the Community Stadium on the season’s final day.

“His impact in both boxes has been significant for us,” Frank continued.

“He is superb defensively in the air and on the ground and plays a crucial role in our set-pieces. We will see even more goals from him next season.

“Ethan has been 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.