Norwich City defender Ryan Bennett has signed a new three-year contract.

It extends the former Peterborough United centre-back's deal through until the summer of 2017.

The 24-year-old made 20 appearances for the Canaries last season, scoring once.

'We're really delighted, Ryan's a superb young player with the range of qualities that he's got on and off the ball,' manager Neil Adams told City's official website.

'There are very few more aggressive defenders than him, especially in the air. He's been here a few years already, and with him putting pen to paper I'm really happy.'

Bennentt has made 48 appearances for City in total since joining from Peterborough in the summer of 2012 in a deal worth around £3million.

The former England Under-21 defender said of his new deal: 'Signing is something I was looking to do and I couldn't be happier to do it.

'Personally and family wise, it's been an unbelievable two years with everyone around the club and I'm very happy to extend that.

'With the size of the club and the ambitions we've got for this season and the future – we want to be back in the Premier League which is where every player wants to be playing – signing this extension gives me a few extra years here and hopefully we can build that together.'

Bennett had lived in the Hemsby area of Norfolk since he was 14 years old and played junior football for Ipswich Town until he was released when he was 16.

He spent time training with City but wasn't offered a deal and ended up signing for Grimsby Town, where he went on to become the club's youngest ever captain.

After a successful loan spell at Peterborough, he was signed in a deal worth around £500,000 by Posh and made over 100 appearances in three seasons before returning to Norfolk in January 2012, initially returning to Posh on loan for a month.

Do you expect Bennett to be an important player for the Canaries this season? Leave your comments below.