"I've Been Hugely Impressed With Max"

Manager Frank Lampard praised midfielder Max Bird after the youngster signed a new contract which takes him to the summer of 2022.

Bird, who has featured seven times for Lampard’s first-team this season, has been rewarded for his progression and has penned a new three-and-a-half year deal with the club.

The 18-year-old has been handed his Sky Bet Championship and his Emirates FA Cup debut by the manager and he has also featured in the Carabao Cup this season.

It’s been a whirlwind season for the midfielder who has also featured for the Rams in the FA Youth Cup, as well as the Under-23s Premier League Cup.

“I’ve been hugely impressed with Max,” Lampard said. “He is a great young lad which is always the first impression. He is polite, has good manners and is very professional in his young ways.

“He has integrated very well into the first team squad this year for his age and it’s been a great progression.

“He has a real desire to improve and he’s a delight to coach. He always wants to listen and learn so it’s really enjoyable working with him.

“I knew there was a good batch of young players at the club and Max was one of the first names I heard in those terms.

“The first time he trained, he looked unfazed. It was clear to see that he had the talent and the skills to be a top player which we hope he can be.”

It is not strange to see a number of the club’s Academy players training with the first-team during the week.

Players from the Under-18s and the Under-23s are regularly invited to train with Lampard’s side to continue their development as a footballer.

Integrating young players is a huge part of the manager’s ethos and Bird is one of three Academy players to be handed his league debut this season, along with Jayden Bogle and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson.

“We are certainly trying to create a pathway,” the boss admitted. “We are proud of the Academy here and the competition to bring in young players has never been higher.

"It’s very competitive out there to take in the best young players but what we can offer is that path up the ladder into the first team.

“I’m certainly not scared of giving young players an opportunity if they show they are good enough. If you’re young enough, you’re good enough.

“We have shown that this year and hopefully we can continue that and it will help the further recruitment.”