Goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams is determined to sign a new contract to stay with Caley Thistle beyond this summer’s Euro 2016 finals.
The Wales international goalkeeper, who looks certain to win a place in Chris Coleman’s squad for France after earning his first cap against Holland in November, has no designs on leaving the struggling Premiership club.
Fon Williams – a keen artist in his spare time – is keen to speed up negotiations by describing Inverness as his perfect career and family environment.
The international arena will serve as a shop window for many players in June, but the 29-year-old hopes his future will be settled long before.
Caley Thistle have a decision to make with two of three goalkeepers to be retained. Ryan Esson, the club’s player-goalkeeper coach, has already earned a new contract.
Fon Williams, ever-present this season, faces competition for the remaining squad place from fit-again Dean Brill, who previously filled the jersey with distinction.
The Caernarfon-born goalkeeper, signed in mid-July last year after leaving Tranmere Rovers, said: “Talks are underway. And I’m sure, between now and the end of the season, something will get done. We’ve started the ball rolling.
“I’m keen to stay, 100%. I’ve said all along, Inverness and the Highlands, as a place to live, is just perfect for me. It’s fantastic.
“I was even at Aviemore yesterday, up on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, and there are different places to visit all the time.
“I’m not one for going around the shops. For me, in terms of lifestyle, it is perfect. It might not be for everyone, but for the way I live my life, it is ideal. Me, my partner and the dog just love it.
“Then there is the football side of it. The lifestyle has to be right for the football to be right and I’m fortunate that is the case. I’m enjoying it here and enjoying the people I work with. It’s a great club to be at. Even where we train, out at Fort George, we might not have the facilities other clubs have, a gym where we train or whatever. But where we train, you would pay an awful lot of money to live and work in a place like this. The views and surroundings are magnificent.
“What I need out of the game, I have everything and more at Inverness so I’m very hopeful something can get done as soon as possible.”