Goalkeeper Declan Rudd has signed a new three-year deal with Norwich City, committing himself to the Club until June 2012. The 18-year-old turned professional last summer and played a significant role in City's under-18 squad reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup and claiming runners-up spot in their league.

Goalkeeper Declan Rudd has signed a new three-year deal with Norwich City, committing himself to the Club until June 2012.

The 18-year-old turned professional last summer and played a significant role in City's under-18 squad reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup and claiming runners-up spot in their league.

Norwich boss Bryan Gunn told the club's official website he was delighted to have secured the services of the promising stopper. "This is a big season for Declan, off the back of a tremendous campaign last year for the Academy and a few reserve appearances," he said.

"He now has an opportunity to really make his name in the professional game and has the attributes and the capability of being a top goalkeeper. We have to nurture him the best way we can with his education and training - whether that's with coaches Darran Lovell in the Academy or previously with James Hollman, Tommy Wright, myself and more recently Paul Crichton - all say he has a great opportunity to go right to the top.

"He has been recognised at England level and is now playing above his age group and we are delighted to have signed him."

Speaking to the club's official website on his new contract, Rudd said: "I'm very proud, happy that I've got a new contract for the beginning of the season so I can kick on and hopefully get a place in the first team.

"Playing for the youth team was good because it meant I got a lot of games. We had a good run in the FA Youth Cup and got in to the quarter-finals, which helped me a lot. It has made me realise that the big occasions are not as scary as they might look, so it's helped me with my confidence and I really enjoyed last season.

"It will be really good to play in front of a lot of Norwich fans, they really do help you along (during a game)."