Defender James Morris has signed a new three-year contract, with Watford having the option to extend it to a fourth year.

The 21-year-old has made 13 appearances for the Hornets this season, 11 of them in the Championship.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” said Morris.

“I think last year I didn’t really expect to play at all, so to be given my debut was a massive thing.

“This year, at the start of the season, I wasn’t really in the first team but now at the end of the season I have played a lot of games and it’s been good.

“The most important thing is there has been a lot learnt and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

He made his senior debut last season in the FA Cup defeat at Leicester City, and then his home debut came as a substitute in the Carabao Cup tie against MK Dons in August.

After a few more appearances off the bench, Morris made his first start in one of the more memorable games this season, the 1-0 win at Norwich on January 2 where he played the full 90 minutes.

He made his first Vicarage Road start in the 2-0 win over Blackpool in mid-January.

His last first-team appearance came as a late substitute in the draw with Wigan last month, but he has since captained the Under-21 side and, having overcome a foot injury, was back among the substitutes at Hull on Saturday.

It’s another successful graduate for Watford’s Academy Director Richard Johnson.

“James is a real success story and such a great kid too, on and off the pitch," he said.

“He came to us after he was released by Southampton, and his attitude towards training is first-class. He’s no trouble at all, and a very positive person.

“The club have rewarded that, along with his experience and performances for the first team this season. I think he’s done brilliantly in the first team.

“The long-term contract is reward for everything he’s done since he’s been here. I’m really pleased for James.”

Morris only moved to Vicarage Road in August 2021 after being released by Southampton.

“That was probably the lowest moment in my career. Being a Saints fan and being there 10 years, which was half my life, it was a big blow,” said Morris, when he spoke to The Watford Observer in February.

“In my last season there I hadn’t really played loads, and while I didn’t know it was coming it also wasn’t a shock. But still, when you’re told you’re being released there is no feeling worse than that in football.

“I was told I was being released in the January and that was a time when Covid was still around, so there weren’t many trials taking place.

“So I went into pre-season and the start of the next season without a club. I literally had to train by myself, go to the gym and I knew I had to stay as fit and sharp as possible because I had to be ready to take a chance if one came along.

“I was about to go to Sheffield United then Watford came in and offered me a trial, and I came straight away.

“That hard work I had put in meant I was ready to go and I got here and it went well.”