Young midfielder Jared Bird is delighted to sign a new deal with Barnsley until 2020.
The 20-year-old from Nottingham joined last year after leaving Derby County's academy. He started at Wembley in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham Hotspur and has come off the bench three times in the Championship, winning a penalty at Millwall.
He said: "I am really pleased. Since the summer, when I signed my extension, I wanted a longer deal – so I am really happy. This season I have gone from an under 23s player to being part of the first team squad. It's great to just be involved and hopefully, in the future, I will be a regular first team player.
"If the gaffer sees you improving, you will have a chance at Barnsley. It's really important for any young player to see a pathway to the first team. You fall out of love with the game when you can't see that, but at Barnsley you can."
Head coach Paul Heckingbottom said: "We are rewarding his progression. He's forced his way into the team and we want to give him that security. We want to give him league football whether that is with us or someone else. Hopefully we can get him in our side this season, if not then we'll get him out on loan."
Bird admits a loan may be the next step in his progression. He said: "I would rather stay here but, if I need to go out and get league games, then that's the next stage for me. If I can play 20 games in, say, League Two this season then that's a good achievement but, if I stay and play at Barnsley, then that's even better."
