CITY'S Norfolk-born goalkeeper Declan Rudd has signed a new three-year deal with the Canaries, committing himself to the Club until June 2012.

The 18-year-old turned professional last summer and played a significant role in City's under-18 squad reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup and claiming runners-up spot in their league. 

Norwich boss Bryan Gunn told First News he was delighted to have secured the services of the promising stopper. "This is a big season for Declan, off the back of a tremendous campaign last year for the Academy and a few reserve appearances," he said.

"He now has an opportunity to really make his name in the professional game and has the attributes and the capability of being a top goalkeeper.  We have to nurture him the best way we can with his education and training -  whether that's with coaches Darran Lovell in the Academy or previously with James Hollman, Tommy Wright, myself and more recently Paul Crichton - all say he has a great opportunity to go right to the top.

"He has been recognised at England level and is now playing above his age group and we are delighted to have signed him."

PENALTY HERO: Declan Rudd saves spot-kick against
Everton in FA Youth Cup last season

Speaking to canaries.co.uk on his new contract, Rudd said: "I'm very proud, happy that I've got a new contract for the beginning of the season so I can kick on and hopefully get a place in the first team."

Looking back on a successful season for City's Academy side last year, the 18-year-old said it will stand him in good stead: "Playing for the youth team was good because it meant I got a lot of games. We had a good run in the FA Youth Cup and got in to the quarter-finals, which helped me a lot. It has made me realise that the big occasions are not as scary as they might look, so it's helped me with my confidence and I really enjoyed last season."

Having played at Carrow Road in the FA Youth Cup victories over Stoke City and Wigan Athletic, the prospect of playing in front of large crowds doesn't phase him: "It will be different. I've played in front of quite a few thousand people for England a few times. Norwich crowds are different, they get behind the team. It will be really good to play in front of a lot of Norwich fans, they really do help you along (during a game)."

Having returned from international duty with England Under-19s at the start of the month, Declan feels it was a good experience despite not featuring: "It was really good being called up for the age above, playing with players that have been playing regularly in the Championship and League One. The quality was good and it kept me on my toes over the end of season break to come back nice and sharp this season."

Rudd was originally spotted by City's youth recruitment officer playing for local side Bressingham as a striker at the age of eight-years-old and then joined the Club's Academy aged nine.

His only first-team involvement so far is being named as a substitute for the final game of the 2007-08 season at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday by then manager Glenn Roeder.

Declan was the first Norwich City player to play at the new Wembley stadium in April 2007 when featuring for the England Under-16s against their Spanish counterparts. He has since gone on to represent his nation at Under-17 level and more recently was called up for the Under-19 squad -  where he was an unused substitute for all three of their successful UEFA European Championship games at the beginning of this month.