DEFENDER Max Cleworth has signed a new three-year contract with Wrexham.

A product of the club’s youth academy, Cleworth made his league debut in the 2-2 draw at Solihull Moors on the opening day of the current campaign.

The 19-year-old, who made three Scottish Challenge Cup appearances and had an FA Trophy run-out in 2019-20 and had a successful loan spell at Caernarfon last term after making a further Trophy appearance, has made a total of three starts and two substitute appearances for the Reds this season.

He has now committed himself to Wrexham until 2024.

On signing his new contract, Cleworth, who signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2020, told the official club website said: “I’m very pleased. I’ve been at the Club a while, so to get another three years is a good feeling and hopefully I can keep pushing on from here.

“I’m very grateful to the gaffer for the faith he has showed so far. Hopefully I get a few more opportunities for the rest of the season.

“Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come at this Club for other young players coming through the academy. There is a pathway to the first team – the Club has been known for bringing players through and hopefully that continues under this management and the new ownership.

“My targets now are just to keep playing. I don’t like to set too many targets – I just take every game as it comes.

“Getting that league debut was a big one, it felt like a long time coming, but now I just want to get more minutes – albeit I might be in and out of the team at times – and be a part of the squad going forward.”

Manager Phil Parkinson said: “I’m really pleased Max has signed his new contract. He’s made good progress since the start of the season and he’s a good asset for the Club going forward.

“Max has had the opportunity and it’s a chance for other youngsters to see there is a pathway for them. Now Max’s job is to try and get more games under his belt for the rest of the season.”