Beevers Bags New Owls Deal

Wednesday have secured the services of top young talent Mark Beevers until 2012 after the centre-back put pen-to-paper on a new improved deal at Hillsborough today.

The Barnsley-born defender has been highly impressive since breaking on to the scene, cementing a place in the heart of the Owls' defence in recent weeks despite being just 18, and has already attracted the interest of some big-name clubs.

But the decision to stay at S6 will be a big boost to Owls' fans and Brian Laws, who sees the youngster as a huge part of the future of the club.

And Beevers insists he's delighted to bag the new deal at S6.

He told the official Owls' website: 'I was offered a new contract last week and now I'm delighted to sign with Sheffield Wednesday.

'It's the right club for me as a young player because I've been in and around the first team of late, so I am very pleased.'

Beevers has enjoyed a rapid rise to the Wednesday first team, being part of the side that saw off Sheffield United 2-0 in recent weeks and also being picked as backup for the England under-19's squad despite playing just a handful of games in the blue right.

Former boss Paul Sturrock put huge praise on the defender, saying he could well be a future England international star, and the youngster has already impressed the Wednesday faithful with his mature performances this season.

And boss Brian Laws said:: 'It is a fantastic move from the football club's point of view and from Mark Beeevers' point of view. To tie him up until 2012 is a great coup for the club. It is right for the player, it's right for his development and it is right for the progress he has made.'