Liverpool FC announced today that youngster Curtis Jones has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, less than a year after signing his last.
The 19-year-old is widely lauded as one of the Reds' most promising young talents, with the attacking midfielder coming on leaps and bounds during this season.
Jones scored the winner against Everton in the FA Cup this year before becoming Liverpool's youngest-ever captain against Shrewsbury in the next round. Having stepped up at every opportunity, he has become a mainstay at Melwood as he trains alongside the first-team squad.
His exceptional progress has now been rewarded with a new long-term contract, which is believed to be a five-year deal according to local journalists.
Speaking to the official website, Jones said: “For me, as everyone knows, it's massive. It's my boyhood club, and it's the whole of my family's club as well. For me it's huge.
“I think the environment and stuff is all positive and keeps me as positive as I can. Of course, we're working with a great manager and around the best team in the world, so for me it was easy and [I'm] extremely proud.”
Jones' attitude has been exemplary since making a mark in the youth sides, with the youngster once again reiterating he is willing to be patient for game-time.
“Everybody knows me, I'm a confident boy,” he said. “But now I've got to be patient and wait until the time's right and wait until the manager and his staff think it's right to put me in.
“I know they will because I know the belief that they've got in me and I know they're perfect people to be around at the moment I am now in my career.
“As I always say, any time that I'm called upon, and any position that I get put on in, I'll always give 100 per cent. As I said before, I'm here to make history at the club.”
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has often praised Jones' technical ability, as well as his commitment, and he says he is “really pleased” they have reached an agreement to “reward” him.
“Really pleased – and absolutely deserved,” Klopp said.
“This is a little different to the announcement we made last year when Curtis signed his last contract. That was about both the player and club making a long-term commitment to each other.
“Today's news is more about reward. When Curtis signed, we made promises to him that if he continued to improve and grow as a player that we would make sure we recognised that and that is what we have now done. That is our way here.
Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images
“We want our young players to achieve their maximum and a big part of that is keeping the focus on their journey and not just a destination. You have to make sure their development is constant. Otherwise, you are failing them.
“I could not be more pleased or proud to see how he has blossomed. Super attitude – brilliant application – and a really important member of this squad now.
“His quality is not in doubt; technically and ability-wise at the highest level. But plenty of young players have the skills, it's about more than that if you want to achieve potential and Curtis is showing it.
“For Curtis now it's about continuing his improvement. If he does that, he can achieve anything he wants in the game. I think we are the perfect environment for him, so it's a very cool situation.
“I love it that our supporters will be able to enjoy having more than one' Scouser in our team'.”