Leeds United defender Ben Parker has signed a new contract with the club.

The 21-year-old has agreed a new, extended three-year deal with the club.

Ben is a product of the club's Academy system and established himself as a regular in the first team following Simon Grayson's arrival as manager last season.

Ben has made 44 appearances, of which 30 came last season. His only goal to date came last November, at Northampton Town in the FA Cup.

United manager Simon Grayson said: "It's something that we spoke about over the summer. He did ever so well when he came into the team, he had one year left on his contract, and we've decided to get negotiations done over the summer.

"Ben is a Leeds lad and I know he's delighted to be here, but it's about being good enough to be part of the team and the squad.

"Ben took his chance last season. He'd waited for the opportunity, he's had a few spells out on loan which has done his development good, and now he knows he has more security on his contract but he's also got plenty on his hands with the other left-backs at the club.

"He has to keep working, and keep striving to be regular in our team."

The manager also cited Ben as a good inspiration to players who are not in the 11 playing on a Saturday.

"It shows how things can turn around," said the boss.

"He wasn't involved, he had a couple of loan spells and he kept his head down, worked hard and waited for the opportunity.

"When Carl Dickinson went back to Stoke, his opportunity came and he grasped it. He knows he has a lot of work to make himself into a better player, but he's not frightened of that and he'll get plenty of help from the staff to help develop him."

Ben is one of three left-backs at the club with Alan Sheehan, who spent the end of last season on loan at Crewe, and Aidy White, who made his debut last season and is under contract until 2012.