Ciaran Clark has signed a new five-year contract with Aston Villa, the Premier League club have announced.
Clark, 25, ascended through Villa's youth-team ranks to become a key member of the first team.
The defender said on the club's official website: "I'm absolutely thrilled to sign a new contract. I've been at Aston Villa since I was a kid and I want to continue to play for this fantastic football club.
"Everyone is looking forward to the new season and I'm delighted to be going into the opening game on Saturday knowing my long-term future has been sorted."
CLARK SIGNS: @C_Clark_6 pens new Villa deal. Full story here: http://t.co/WScYUsFXGi #AVFC pic.twitter.com/eTR0OwfWlJ
- Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) August 5, 2015
Manager Tim Sherwood said: "It's great news. Ciaran wears his heart on his sleeve. You know what you're going to get from Ciaran - he gives everything for the cause and that's all you can ask for as a manager.
"He was unfortunate with injuries last season but he looks sharp now and we want to keep him fit. We're pleased to have him here for a longer time."
Sherwood expects to still be without Carles Gil (knock), Jack Grealish (hamstring) and Jores Okore (knee) for Saturday's Premier League season-opener at Bournemouth.
Sherwood said: "Carles and Jack are still out injured -- they haven't been able to do enough training so it's a disappointment.
"Okore is still injured with his knee which he had operated on at the end of last season."
