KEVIN Long is determined to go from 'strength to strength' after signing a new three-year deal at Burnley.

The 26-year-old centre back had one year remaining on his deal but after playing three games for the first team at the end of the last Premier League season he has now put pen to paper on an extended deal.

Those appearances were Long's first league starts for Burnley since December 2013 but after following them up with his first caps for the Republic of Ireland in June he is now keen to make an impression at Turf Moor.

“I am delighted. It’s been going on for quite a while now so it’s nice to get it signed and look forward to the next three years," he said.

“It caps what’s been a fabulous few months for me. Coming into the team at the end of last season was great and them to make my international debut for Ireland over the summer was a dream."

Long joined the Clarets in January 2010 from Cork City and is now the club's longest serving player, but he has made just 21 league starts in his seven-and-a-half years at the club.

But he sees a club heading in the right direction and after his taste of Premier League football last season he is keen for more in 2017/18.

"Here at Burnley, we’ve secured another season in the Premier League, so this is a club going in the right direction and it’s a pleasure to be a part of that," he said.

"I’ve been here a long time and probably haven’t played as much as I’d have liked, so hopefully in the next three years I can play a lot more and go from strength to strength."