NEWPORT County AFC loan star Ben White has signed a new three-year contract with Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 20-year-old centre-back, who rose through the ranks in Albion’s academy, has been linked with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur after impressing on loan at Rodney Parade this season.

But he put pen to paper on a new deal with the Seagulls earlier today, which runs until June 2021.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton said: “I’m delighted for Ben, and he is another example of a young player that has worked very hard to develop his game over the last couple of years.

South Wales Argus:

“We have closely monitored his progress at Newport County, and it is very pleasing to see him adapt so well to a very competitive standard of football in League Two.

“I was pleased to give him his debut for this club in the EFL Cup match against Colchester United last season, and he thoroughly deserves this new contract.”

White has impressed with his performances for the Exiles, where he has made a total of 47 appearances in all competitions so far in 2017-2018.

County manager Michael Flynn has tipped the young centre-back as a future England international.