Northern Ireland youth international Ruairi McConville is celebrating after signing a new contract with Brighton and Hove Albion.
The 17-year-old joined Brighton from Linfield in the summer of 2021 and went on to make his Premier League 2 debut last January.
McConville has already captained the Under 18s and featured for the U23s and is highly rated at Brighton's academy.
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The defender has now signed his second professional contract which will run until June 2025.
Brighton said: "We are pleased to confirm that men’s under-21 defender Ruairi McConville has signed a new contract that runs until June 2025.
"The Northern Ireland Under-19 international joined Albion in summer 2021 from Linfield and made his Premier League 2 debut in January this year."
Meanwhile, McConville said he is "excited" to commit his future to Brighton.
He added: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Brighton so far, so I am excited to have the opportunity to commit my future here.
“I feel like I’ve really progressed in the 18 months that I have been here. The club have helped me settle in well after moving away from home and I feel like I am developing well under Shannon [Ruth].”
McConville is also aiming high at international level and has previously captained Northern Ireland Under 17s.
He was the youngest member of Northern Ireland's senior squad for last summer's training camp at St George's Park.
The former De La Salle student, a towering presence measuring 6’4” tall, came through the ranks at Linfield and featured for both the Windsor Park club’s U18 and Swifts sides.
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