IRISH LEAGUE: David Healy thrilled as Paul Smyth signs extended contract with Linfield

Smyth has signed a new long-term deal that will see him contracted to the Blues until May 2019.

The 18-year-old striker has been a revelation since being promoted to Linfield’s first-team squad this season.

After impressing in a County Antrim Shield win over Newington, Smyth has become a firm feature in Healy’s plans in the Danske Bank Premiership.

A debut goal followed in the Boxing Day derby win over Glentoran, with Smyth’s only blot coming courtesy of a red card in an Irish Cup win over Ballymena United.

That saw the teenager suspended for last week’s Shield final, which the Blues lost to Ballymena in a thrilling decider.

“I’m delighted to be able to announce that Paul Smyth has today agreed and signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until May 2019,” Healy told the club’s website.

It’s great that one of the most exciting prospects in the game has committed his future to the club and hopefully in the years to come he will prove to be a great asset on the pitch for the club.

“He’s done really well since he broke into the first team squad and hopefully he can go on to score regularly and get the rewards that his all round performances to date have deserved.

“I’m looking forward to continuing working with young Paul and hopefully he will continue to develop in the future as well as he has done in recent months.”

Meanwhile, Linfield have snapped up Swansea winger Stephen Fallon on a six-month loan deal.

Fallon – who hails from Belfast – has been with the Swans for two years and has featured for both their youth and reserve teams.

“Stephen is a player I’ve worked with at underage level with the international squad and I’m looking forward to working with him again,” Linfield boss Healy said.

“He’s a talented young player and a great prospect for the future. He wants to learn and he wants to play and he’s an exciting young player with potentially a big future ahead of him in the game.”

Fallon added: “My aim during my time here is to try and break through into the first team and help the club to be successful.”