Paul Boertien has agreed a new four-year deal with Derby County.

The agreement will keep the midfielder at the club until June 2005.

Boertien's present contract was due to expire in the summer of 2002 but the Rams have moved swiftly to extend it by three years.

The 22-year-old was a regular in the Derby first-team during the second half of last season, scoring against local rivals Leicester City on Easter Monday.

Derby club secretary Keith Pearson said:"We're delighted that one of our bright young stars has committed himself to the club for a further three years."