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Liverpool forward Ryan Kent has signed a new professional contract with the Reds, he has announced.

The 18-year-old told his Twitter followers of the deal this afternoon as he put pen to paper watched by his family.

It has been a frustrating time for Kent, who had a tremendous start to the season in both the UEFA U19 Champions league and in the U21s but has spent a number of months out with a troublesome back injury.

The timing was seen as particularly unfortunate because the pacy wide player had attracted plenty of attention over a possible loan deal.

Ryan Kent's tweet

It is hoped he will be able to return to action next Tuesday in the U21s Premier League game against Fulham at Chester, a match which could also see the long-awaited return of German striker Samed Yesil.

Last week U21s manager Michael Beale 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.”

Oldham-born Kent has been at the Kirkby Academy since the age of 7 and has been capped by England at youth levels.