Liverpool Football Club is pleased to announce that Academy defender Ryan McLaughlin has today signed a new contract with the club.

The Northern Irish full-back, who joined the Reds during the summer of 2011, put pen to paper on his new deal on Friday morning to further extend his Anfield stay.

McLaughlin has yet to make a senior appearance for the club, but was included in manager Brendan Rodgers' squad for the summer tour of North America in 2012 and featured in the friendly against Roma.

The 18-year-old has since established himself as a regular in Alex Inglethorpe's U21 side and is on the fringes of the Northern Ireland national team, having played at every youth level for his country.