Young defender Krystian Pearce has today signed his first professional contract to tie him to the club until 2009.

The Birmingham born centre back, who is nicknamed 'Chief', only joined the club's full-time ranks last summer on an Academy scholarship but made an immediate impact, breaking into the reserve side and scoring on his debut at Walsall in late August when he was still only 16.

Pearce is the captain of the under-18 side which reached the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup and scored the winning goal against Barnsley that set up last week's clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford, which Blues lost 2-0.

In fact the defender is renowned for his aerial ability which has helped get his name on the scoresheet on three other occasions this season, including the fourth round win over Charlton.

Pearce received his first call-up to the England under-17 squad last October and made his Three Lions bow versus Portugal during a mini-tournament in Belgium and he featured again in a game against the host country.

Now 17, Pearce was handed a first team squad number - 31 - in January and travelled with the team for FA Cup tie up at Newcastle, although he didn't make it into the 16.

Pearce, whose other main strengths are his pace and composure on the ball, will be hoping to push for further first team recognition in the years to come.