Nico Yennaris has signed a new contract, keeping him at Brentford for a further three years. The 22-year-old – who has played in a variety of positions in midfield and defence – put pen to paper on a new contract today, Tuesday 16 February. His deal was set to expire at the end of the current season, June 2016, but the former England Under-19 international is now under contract at Griffin Park until the end of the 2018/19 season.

Brentford signed Nico from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee in January 2014. Nico came through the ranks at Arsenal, having joined The Gunners at the age of seven, and signed his first professional deal in 2010, just after his 17th birthday. He played four games in total for Arsenal, including one in a Premier League game against Manchester United, and also had loan spells at Notts County and AFC Bournemouth. He represented England at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 level and won ten caps in total.

Nico played 12 games for The Bees in his first two seasons at the Club and spent the end of 2014/15 on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, helping them reach the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final. He has been involved more regularly this season, playing 17 Sky Bet Championship games, 14 from the start. Nico’s appearance in the centre of midfield at Sheffield Wednesday was his 30th for The Bees in all competitions and he came close to notching his first goal for the Club.

Dean Smith, Brentford FC Head Coach, said: “It is great news that Nico has pledged his immediate future to the Club. Nico has shown himself to be very diligent in his approach to his profession. He has shown that he wants to further develop and is keen to establish himself within the First Team. I believe that he can go on to play a lot of matches for Brentford and he is keen to continue the recent success of the Club.”

Phil Giles, Brentford FC Co-Director of Football, added: "Nico and I spoke recently about the change in fortunes that happened for him when Lee Carsley became Head Coach in September. He produced a series of impressive performances at right back, and has deservedly earned a new contract that we were more than happy to offer. We are all looking forward to seeing Nico continue to develop as a Brentford player over the coming seasons."