Brighton & Hove Albion defender Lewis Dunk signed a new four-year contract yesterday, keeping him at the Championship club until 2018.

The 22-year-old made 11 appearances for Albion in 2013-14 as they lost out to Derby County in the second tier play-offs; he also spent a month on loan at Bristol City last October, featuring three times in all competitions for the League One side.

A centre-back who came through Brighton's academy system, Dunk made his debut against Milton Keynes Dons in May 2010 and has played 65 games in total for his parent club, and recently-appointed Seagulls manager Sami Hyypia has now challenged him to cement a regular first-team place.

"Lewis fully deserves this new contract. He has proved that he is worthy of a place in our first-team squad, and he has a very bright future ahead of him," Hyypia told the official Brighton website.

"He has come through the club’s youth system and developed as a player. It is now up to Lewis to work hard, continue learning and try to earn a regular place in the first team."

Dunk added: "It’s amazing to sign the new deal, especially as I’ve been at the club since I was ten. It’s great that I’ll be at the club for another four years.

"The last couple of years have been a real struggle for me, but I’ve come through it for the better now. I’m concentrating on my football as much as I can, and my new deal will help me to progress even more."

Dunk's new deal means five young players have agreed long-term contracts at the Amex Stadium this summer, the others being Solly March, Jake Forster-Caskey, Rohan Ince and Christian Walton.