Defender DeMerit signs new deal

Central defender Jay DeMerit has signed a new contract that will keep him at Vicarage Road until 2008.

DeMerit, who has not been an automatic choice at the heart of the defence this season following the arrival of Malky MacKay and Clarke Carlisle, has set his sights on achieving promotion to the Premier League.

“There are still two places up for grabs – one an automatic promotion spot and the other via the play-offs. I don’t care how we achieve it, all I want is for us to be turning out against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United every week,” he told the club’s official website.

“I really believe we can achieve promotion. That’s the goal that everyone is aiming for.I believe we can do it. And now the club has shown its commitment to me, I am determined to repay the loyalty by playing my part so that we get to the Promised Land sooner rather than later,” added DeMerit.

DeMerit acknowledged that the management trio at Vicarage Road was influential in signing his new deal.
“I have made giant strides as a player under Aidy and I believe that I still have a long way to go before I realise my full potential. Having the opportunity to work with Aidy, Keith and Dave is really important to me and was a major factor in persuading me to sign my new deal,” The twenty-six year-old American told watfordfc.com

Hornets’ supremo Aidy Boothroyd told the official site “Jay has merited his contractual extension. He has got an excellent attitude and really wants to be a winner. These are priceless qualities in a player. He’s well liked and respected and it’s great news for everyone that he has signed on with us until 2008.”