STEVE Cotterill today revealed his delight after Richard Chaplow signed a new-four-year deal.

Clarets midfielder Chaplow, who still had two years remaining on his first professional contract signed just last year, has put pen to paper on new terms that tie him to Turf Moor until 2008.

The news ends all speculation that Leeds United might poach the England U21 midfielder after previously having two bids rejected this summer.

Instead, the 19-year-old has jetted to Austria with the rest of his Burnley team-mates knowing his long term future is secure.

And speaking from the club's impressive training camp in Obertraun, Clarets boss Cotterill underlined how important weeks of tense negotiations could prove.

He said: "Someone told me the other day that I had made five good signings. Well I've made six now by re-signing Richard.

"It's been a bit of an awkward one, but Richard is already a good young player and we hope that within a year or two he will become even better, so we are extremely delighted to re-sign him."

Cotterill, who continues to impress with his early wheeling and dealing, added: "We turned down a bid from Leeds that we didn't think was suitable for a young player with his capabilities.

"Had they come in with an offer that was suitable, it would have been very difficult to stand in the boy's way.

"But when you compare the likes of James Milner, who Leeds sold for £3.6 million with add-ons up to £5 million-plus, then the fact we should sell Richard for £1 million doesn't add up.

"He ended up playing England U21 football last season while Milner was in the Under 19s.

"That could have been positional, but it is still a measure of the boy and it was important that he signed.

"He's got what other players have got, but he's got it at such a young age and that's what makes him desirable to others.

"I am sure he will get better with age and I'm sure I speak for everyone, from the chairman to the supporters, when I say how delighted we are."