Fulham will allow Scottish international midfielder Kevin McDonald to leave on a free transfer, according to a Sky Sports report this afternoon.
The popular 31 year-old midfielder has been a stalwart in four years at Craven Cottage, significantly strengthening Slavisa Jokanovic’s side when he was signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers after a lengthy pursuit in 2016. McDonald, who quickly became an automatic pick patrolling in front of the back four, has been part of two promotion-winning sides from the Championship but has rarely featured in the first-team in each of the last two seasons and is understood to be eager to play regular football again.
Fulham are reportedly willing to allow McDonald to leave Craven Cottage on a free transfer in recognition of his contribution both on and off the field. The former Dundee United midfielder has made 127 appearances for the Whites, scoring six goals, and is credited with being a vocal and important member of the dressing room. He has slipped down the pecking order of late and with Mario Lemina and Harrison Reed signing this summer – allied with Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa’s return from his loan spell at Villarreal – McDonald’s chances of featuring under Scott Parker appear remote.
McDonald, who is currently undertaking his coaching badges, wants to continue his playing career and Fulham do not want to impede chances of reigniting his career by holding out for a high-value offer for his services. The experienced midfielder’s current Craven Cottage deal expires at the end of this season.
I’d rather he stuck around and graduated into a coaching role at the club… but if he feels he can play first team football for another year or two first, it’s not fair to keep him exclusively in the dressing room. Hopefully he’s been told there’s a coaching job on the table at FFC as soon as he wants it.
He should have been captain a leader, not Tom Cairney a mouse
The club has done the right thing in respecting the contribution which Kevin has made to stabilising and then getting the club promoted and not seeking a price. He will always be welcome back and I can say many of us owe him great thanks for what he has done. All the best in your next step and then I’m sure management Kevin.
I concur with Christopher above.
Good luck wherever he goes.
He deserves a free transfer. Has been a solid signing.
He’ll still be a decent player in the Championship or easily a top 3 player in League 1!
Good luck wherever he goes!
What a great pleasure to do comments about the Big Man a true professional,met him once what a nice guy,a very good club man,should have perhaps been given another year,and then offered a coaching role at Fulham wish the guy well and maybe we will see him back at The Cottage one day as coach Good Luck Big Mac Stay Safe
Love KMac – so am absolutely gutted at this news. One of my favourite memories was him running around Wembley leading the celebrations with the fans after the Villa play-off final.
I felt he didn’t get a fair crack of it last year. As the article says, we were much more solid when he slotted in just in front of the back four. Great guy, great leader and apparently excellent in the dressing room. Every side needs characters like that, who can set the standard. Hope he comes back to coach at the end of his playing career.
I, too, would rather we keep him on the playing staff as back-up – helping him with his coaching badges with a view to him becoming a Fulham coach. Superb team player who could still be a positive influence to the Club.
A wonderful club man. Whilst past his best hs is a leader on and off the field. Once he has finished his playing days get him back In a coaching role. I believe he loves Fulham and would welcome the opportunity to return.
Would have him in side now don’t see any of the new influx any better, what is certain they won’t put as many last ditch blocks in and throwing his body in amongst the feet wholehearted performer who deserved better treatment than he got if I was him itjink I would say f**k Fulham I’m off.
And he was never at Dundee United.
Sad to see Big Mac go been a great player for us always 100%.
Good luck Big Mac