Wolverhampton Wanderers have announced that Max Kilman has signed a new contract, rejecting a move to Napoli in the process.
In a summer of change at Molineux, Kilman has stepped into the void left by Ruben Neves by being named as the new club captain.
However, that development came about at the same time as Italian champions Napoli have been attempting to secure the transfer of the 26-year-old.
According to reports, Wolves would have been happy to cash in on the centre-back if Napoli made a bid in the region of £35m.
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 13, 2023
Such an offer never materialised, and it was claimed during Napoli's chase of Kilman that the player was happy to continue his stay in the West Midlands.
Wolves have now rewarded Kilman for his form over recent seasons and loyalty with a deal that will run until the end of the 2027-28 season.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs told the club's official website: "This is what Max deserves. We've been talking to Max since the end of last season and his evolution, not just through the club, but through his role in the first team, has built a strong foundation for him.
"There was lots of interest in Max, we had several offers, but we haven't shifted in wanting him to stay. We believe he's the soul of the team, having been here for a long time now, so he was never a player we considered selling.
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"In what's been an unsettled time for the club, announcing a new head coach and our captain committing long-term shows the noise outside doesn't match what we feel is going on inside."
Kilman has made a total of 107 appearances for Wolves in all competitions since moving from Maidenhead United in August 2018, scoring one goal.
The left-sided central defender will lead Wolves out when they begin their Premier League campaign at Manchester United on Monday night.
That fixture will also represent Gary O'Neil's first match in charge, a consequence of Julen Lopetegui departing the club last week.
Darren Plant
