Sunderland keeper Trevor Carson has committed his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract.
The 21-year-old will remain at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2012 and push senior men Craig Gordon and Marton Fulop for a place in the first team.
Manager Steve Bruce told the club's official website: "We have seen a huge improvement in Trevor in recent months.
"He's still very young in goalkeeping terms, but he's brave, a good shot-stopper and has excellent distribution.
"He's relishing working with Nigel Spink and being involved with the first team, and the challenge for Trevor now is to be pushing Craig and Marton for a regular place in the first-team squad."
Downpatrick-born Northern Ireland Under-21 international Carson made two senior appearances in pre-season and was on the bench for four games earlier in the campaign with Fulop nursing a heel injury.
