Nathan Baker signs four-year extension with Aston Villa

English defender Nathan Baker has penned a new four-year deal with Aston Villa, the club announced Friday.

Baker, 24, is a product of Aston Villa's youth academy. He only featured eight times last year, despite being a regular starter with Aston Villa in the two years prior to the 2014-15 season. An illness ruled him out for a few matches early in the season and then a knee injury had him sidelined for an even longer spell.

But manager Tim Sherwood has kept the faith in the young defender, and Baker says he's happy to be staying with his home club.

"I am delighted to sign a new contract here at Villa," Baker told Aston Villa's official website. "I have been with the club since I was just eight-years-old so I am very happy to continue my career here. It's my home. It's my club. I feel I have progressed and I feel I can carry on getting better here in claret and blue.

"The competition is going to be fierce here at centre-half but that's what the gaffer wants," he added. "There's a lot of choice for him. But you can't do well as a club without competition for places."

Aston Villa has had a very busy Friday, also signing French midfielder Jordan Veretout from FC Nantes and then picking up Benin striker Rudy Gestede on a five-year deal.