CONFIRMED: Liverpool forward signs new deal until 2019

LIVERPOOL forward Ryan Kent has put pen to paper on a new professional contract with the club.

18:44, Tue, Mar 31, 2015 | UPDATED: 18:58, Tue, Mar 31, 2015

Ryan Kent GETTY

Ryan Kent commits future to Liverpool

The England Under-18 international's fine form has been rewarded with a reported four-and-a-half-year deal.

He's bagged three goals and assisted four for the Reds' Under-21s side this term, but has been sidelined for a number of months with a back injury.

The 18-year-old posted on his Twitter account: "Happy to announce I have extended my professional contract with Liverpool."

A number of clubs have been interested in taking Kent out on loan, but his injury halted a potential move.

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

Happy to announce I have extended my professional contract with Liverpool
Ryan Kent

Kent is expected to return to action next Tuesday in the Youth Premier League clash against Fulham.

Michael Beale, Liverpool's U21 manager, said of Kent: “Ryan is a really exciting player and can play in a number of positions.

"We can’t rush him; we’re hoping he can get some minutes in the Fulham game.

“When he got injured we were devastated for him because at the time Ryan was getting quite a bit of interest in terms of going out on loan and was a star player in the U21s.”