Sky Bet Championship: Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies signs two-year deal

Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies has signed a new two-year contract extension tying him to the club until 2018.

Smithies' current contract was due to expire at the end of the season and although the club had the option of another year, the 24-year-old has put pen to paper on a new deal.

"I can see the club going in the right direction and I know I can achieve things here," Smithies told the club's official website.

"We're progressing steadily and I want to be part of what the next few years will hold.

"The manager and his staff work very hard and Nick Colgan is a big factor, as I know working with him every day will make me a better goalkeeper.

"I'm only 24 and although I've clocked up quite a few appearances, most goalkeepers don't peak until their early thirties. There's a lot more to come from me."

Smithies made three outstanding saves to help earn Huddersfield a point against Cardiff on Saturday and manager Chris Powell added: "Twenty-four-year-old goalkeepers don't usually have 250 first-team games under their belts, Alex is in a class of his own on that front.

"Keepers get better with age and experience and we are seeing that with Alex.

"With those games already behind him, he will only get better from hereon in. Given the level that he is at now - I believe he is among the best keepers in the division - I'm really excited at that prospect."

Huddersfield-born Smithies made his Town debut as a 17-year-old substitute at Southend in December 2007 and has been the club's first-choice goalkeeper for over six years.

He has made 260 appearances for Huddersfield and struck the winning penalty to seal the club's promotion to the Sky Bet Championship in a play-off final shoot-out win against Sheffield United in 2012.