Burnley defender Kevin Long has signed a new three-year contract with the Premier League club. The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international is the Clarets' longest-serving player and had one year left on his previous deal. "I am delighted,'' Long said. "It's been going on for quite a while now so it's nice to get it signed and look forward to the next three years. "It caps what's been a fabulous few months for me. Coming into the team at the end of last season was great and then to make my international debut for Ireland over the summer was a dream. "Here at Burnley, we've secured another season in the Premier League, so this is a club going in the right direction and it's a pleasure to be a part of that.'' Burnley sold fellow central-defender Michael Keane to Everton for £30 million earlier this summer and Long is hoping to build on his three Premier League appearances last season. "I've been here a long time and probably haven't played as much as I'd have liked, so hopefully in the next three years I can play a lot more and go from strength to strength,'' he added. Long, who joined the club from Cork City in January 2010, made his first Premier League start in the 2-2 draw against West Brom in May, which guaranteed the Clarets another season in the top flight. He made his first senior international appearance for the Republic in a friendly against Mexico in June and his competitive debut followed in their World Cup qualifier against Austria soon after.
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