Young defender Christian Mbulu has signed a new one-year contract with Millwall.

Mbulu penned his first professional deal with the Lions last summer from non-league side Brentwood Town.

The 19-year-old is rated highly by coaches at the Den and his appearances for the U21 side attracted attention from a host of Premier League clubs earlier in the year.

Chelsea, Swansea and Watford were all linked with a move for Mbulu in March but now the young prospect has extended his contract at Millwall.

Mbulu told millwallfc.co.uk: “I am delighted, but there is still a lot of hard work ahead of me.

“The boys and coaches and manager have made it quite an easy transition for me from non-League to the Football League.

“I was training twice a week with Brentwood and when I first came here it was weird training every day. The quality and intensity of the sessions here are much better.

“It improves you as a player once you get used to it, and obviously you have to train hard too.”

Mbulu, who captained Justin Skinner’s U21 side on several occasions last season, wants to break into Neil Harris’ first-team next year.

He says his hopes of featuring for the senior side have been boosted by the support he has received from his Millwall teammates.

“I set myself targets every year because I want to progress,” Mbulu added.

“I want to push on and break into the first-team but I have to be patient, work hard and be focused so that if the opportunity is there, I am ready to take it.

“The senior players have been great – they are so encouraging and when you have players like Tony Craig, Mark Beevers, Byron Webster and Carlos Edwards giving you advice, well you can't help but learn every day.

“As a youngster it is fantastic to have that support and honesty. It gives me so much encouragement and can only help my development.”

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