Photo: Nap - TheProjectFC
End of suspense: the San Jose Earthquakes announced today that Joe Cannon has signed a new multi-year contract.
More than their favorite player, "The Joe" is seen as a friend by a lot of Quakes' fans and they will enjoy his presence at Buck shaw for a few more years!
Cannon's future in the Bay Area was in question after the Earthquakes refused to renew the goalkeeper's contract with the same conditions as last year.
After weeks of negotiations, the two parties finally managed to agree on a new contract.
"It's good news, for sure. I wanted to give back to the community that gave me so much and that's what will happen for at least 2 or 3 more years", said Cannon. "It was a long process. First, I had to look at a few offers from overseas. Then, I knew for a while that it was almost done but our lawyers needed to take their time to fix a few details" (mostly game bonuses, according to our information)
After the signing of younger goalkeeper, Andrew Weber (25 year-old) from Montreal Impact (USL-1) last Wednesday (Feb. 11), Cannon, in addition of keeping the first team's goal as well as he did in 2008 for one or two more seasons, will probably be asked to use his experience and leadership skills to help Weber improve and get ready to take his succession when time comes, even though he insisted to clarify "I haven't said I would be done in 2 or 3 years!"
We also asked Cannon if he thought Weber could be his successor: "I honestly didn't have much time to get a precise idea yet", he said "but I can already tell you that he looks promising and, more importantly, he works hard, and I think that anybody who works hard gets an opportunity sooner or later."
