Ainsley Maitland-Niles has signed a long-term contract extension with the club.
Joining our academy at the age of nine, he enjoyed another successful season, featuring regularly for the first team in 2017/18. He made 28 appearances during the campaign at wing-back or full-back and in midfield.
In December 2014, at just 17 and 102 days, Ainsley became our second-youngest Champions League player when he came off the bench against Galatasaray to make his debut. He made his first appearance in the Premier League against Newcastle United just four days later.
Maitland-Niles marauding run
His development was helped by a loan spell at Ipswich Town for the 2015/16 season, when he made 30 appearances for the Championship side, scoring twice and winning the club’s Player of the Month award in his first month at Portman Road.