BEN Fox has signed a contract extension with Burton Albion which will see the midfielder stay with the Brewers until 2020.
The 19-year-old will also join National League side Gateshead on-loan until 28th April.
A product of the Burton Albion Academy, Fox was a regular for Burton in the Carabao Cup this season where he started twice and scored once, netting the winning goal against Cardiff City in the second round.
He will now stay with Burton Albion until 2020, which is the same as fellow Academy graduate Joe Sbarra, who himself signed an extension earlier this season.
On his new contact, Ben Fox said: "“It’’s something that I’’ve wanted to get sorted since the start of the season. I knew I was out of contract at the end of the year. It’’s a really big day for me to sign with this club until 2020.
“"The manager has given me and Joe (Sbarra) some fantastic opportunities which we are really grateful for. Hopefully they can continue and we can both take them in our stride.
"It’’s important to play as much men's football as possible. The transition from youth football to men’’s football is difficult so getting as much experience as I can will put me in good stead for the future.
"Ultimately the aim is to get in to the first team and they are there (senior players) week-in week-out doing well so I’’ve got to look to take things from their game and add it to mine and hopefully in the future I can perform like they do.”"
Fox will now join National League side Gateshead on-loan until 28th April in order to earn some game time.
“"I’’m absolutely delighted to go and make a step up to the conference and hopefully get as much game time as I can for next season," said Fox. "I’’ve got to look to try and perform to the best of my ability. I’’ve got to look to make people talk about me and show them what I’m about so hopefully I can do well.
"“It’’s a completely new environment. I’’ve had two other loan spells but I’’ve not been to a full-time team before so to move away from home and move away from the Pirelli is something that’'s going to be a challenge but It’’s going to be an adventure and I’’m looking forward to it.”"