England Under-21s defender signs new long-term contract at Liverpool

England defender Martin Kelly has signed a new long-term deal with Liverpool.

The 22-year-old came through the Reds youth system and made his first team debut in 2008.

At international level he's featured for England's U19s, U20s, Under-21s and Seniors. His full Three Lions bow came in the pre-Euro 2012 warm-up against Norway and he was in Roy Hodgson's travelling party to Poland and Ukraine.

His most recent match in an England shirt was for Stuart Pearce's Under-21s side in September, also against Norway, but a knee injury has kept him out of action since Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United later that month. 

Kelly was delighted to sign the new contract and with the faith shown in him by the Premier League outfit.

"It means everything to me and my family," he told the Liverpool FC website. "I've been at Liverpool since I was seven, so it's in my heart and I love the club.

"Today shows the faith that the club have in me and that the hard work I have put in since I was young has paid off.

"Hopefully I'll put the injuries behind me. We have excellent medical staff here, who are going to work me and keep me on top of my injury. I'll be coming back even stronger."

England Under-21s next match is at Brighton's AMEX Stadium on Monday 25 March. Click here fore full details...