Young Defender Pens New Deal

Last updated : 24 February 2009 By Sam
The 19-year-old City defender has signed a new two-year deal at Eastlands which ties him to the club until June 2011.

"I'm hoping to really kick on and improve in the next two years. It has been a really good 12 months for me with the Youth Cup and now this new contract," he told the club's official website.

"To train alongside and against some of the players at Carrington now has been a great experience for me, so it's been a good year."

The move from youth to senior football is one that Mee has taken in his stride, and he has noticed the difference that playing or training against top-class, experienced players has made to him.

"There's a definite difference, playing against someone like Robinho you can only improve. It's a gradual thing, I don't play against the first team every day, more when you are called over from the reserves, but you can see and tell the difference between the two.

"I want to be there every day working with and against people like Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips to improve my game.

"I played for the reserves a few times last year, but this year I can see the difference coming up against these kinds of players all the time.

"I have played against Dean Windass and Alan Smith this season, which taught me more about the physical side of the game - I ended up with a few more bruises than normal!"