Republic of Ireland Under-21 international midfielder Gavin Kilkenny has signed a new long-term contract at AFC Bournemouth.
The 19-year-old has put pen to paper on fresh terms following a whirlwind second half to the calendar year at Vitality Stadium.
Kilkenny was a regular in the Cherries’ under-21 set-up last season and found himself promoted to the first team squad during the club’s Spanish pre-season training camp in July.
He impressed manager Eddie Howe sufficiently to feature during their friendly fixtures, capping a number of eye-catching performances with a goal against Olympique Lyonnais.
Kilkenny was handed his competitive first team debut in a Carabao Cup victory over Forest Green Rovers and was named on the substitutes’ bench in the Premier League for the first time at Tottenham Hotspur last month.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive, Neill Blake, said: "I’m delighted that Gavin has signed a new long-term contract at the club.
"He has huge potential and has made real progress over the past six months to become a regular around the first team squad.
"Gavin fully deserved his first team debut earlier this season but this is just the start for him, and we look forward to him continuing his development under Eddie Howe and his coaching staff."
