Liverpool youngster Ryan Kent has signed a new long-term deal to keep him at Anfield.
The 18-year-old England youth international is rated very highly by both club and country, and sources confirmed to ESPN FC on Tuesday morning that the player had signed a new 4 1/2 year contract.
Kent, who is a regular in the Liverpool under-21s, signed his first professional deal 18 months ago and announced via Twitter later on Tuesday that he has been rewarded for his progress.
Happy To Announce I Have Extended My Professional Contract With Liverpool Football Club @LFC @NikeUK pic.twitter.com/rQjvMrKYu8
- Ryan Kent (@ryankent_10) March 31, 2015.
The skilful winger was set to go out on loan to a lower-league club during the January transfer window, but injury prevented the move from happening.
Kent has been with Liverpool since the age of eight and it is now hoped he can follow the likes of former academy players Raheem Sterling, Jon Flanagan and Jordon Ibe, who have all broken into the first team under Brendan Rodgers in the past two seasons.