Ryan Yates has signed a new contract at Nottingham Forest.
The academy product has agreed a deal that runs until 2025.
Yates has flourished under Steve Cooper, establishing himself as a key figure in the Forest midfield. He scored his fourth goal in six games as Reading were beaten 4-0 at the City Ground on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has been held in high regard by a series of Forest managers, because of his professionalism and work ethic.
But he has particularly blossomed under Cooper, who has infused a fresh level of confidence into his performances.
Yates is likely to start his 100th game for Forest against QPR on Wednesday night. He has also made 19 sub appearances in all competitions, while scoring 13 goals.
He cut his teeth during loan spells with Barrow, Shrewsbury, Notts County and Scunthorpe.
(Photo: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
How impressive has he been?
Yates talked at the start of the season about how he wanted to improve his confidence on the ball and his passing range and Cooper has helped him to achieve both.
He has always had a knack of arriving in the box at the right time, but had previously struggled to find his finishing touch when he did.
But he has emphatically addressed that in recent weeks, scoring four goals in his last six outings – and three in his last three games.
Yates headed the dramatic injury-time equaliser at Sheffield United and scored what proved to be the winner against Huddersfield in the FA Cup, helping Cooper’s side secure a quarter-final tie with Liverpool.
His goal against Reading on Saturday was a precision finish from the periphery of the box, which found the bottom corner of the net.
Yates recently stated that he would love to secure his future at the City Ground — and the club will be equally delighted to have tied down a player who has become a key figure in the dressing room.