MALACHI Napa has agreed a new contract which will keep him at Oxford United until 2019.

The 18-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut, but has impressed the coaching staff since stepping up from the youth set-up this summer.

Napa’s original deal expired at the end of the season, but he has shown enough to earn an extra 12 months.

The winger was sent out on loan to Hampton & Richmond Borough earlier this season to accumulate experience, but an injury to Rob Hall saw him recalled this month.

He said: “I have learned so much over the last few months and it’s great to have everything sorted for next season as well.

“I want to thank the manager and staff for having such faith in me.

“I will do everything I can to repay that by listening, learning and hopefully pushing on from here and challenging for a place in the first team more regularly.”

U’s boss Pep Clotet met Napa’s family earlier this month to discuss the player’s future and was always optimistic of reaching an agreement.

He said: “Malachi deserves his chance. He is a very bright player, has pace and ability and now it is up to him to keep improving.

“He did well on loan and has come back that bit tougher and with a few games under his belt. “We look forward to working with him over a longer period and seeing him continue to develop.”