Striker Sam Baldock has committed his future to Milton Keynes Dons by signing a new long-term contract at stadiummk.

The 20-year-old front-man has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal to keep him in the New City until June 2013.

As the first graduate of the Milton Keynes-based Academy, Sam's emergence on the first team scene has been one of the success stories of the last two years.

The young marksman has scored 21 goals in 62 appearances since becoming a first team regular at the start of the 2008/09 season, and won two England caps during September's FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Sam told mkdons.com: "I want to grow with this Club, everything about it says Championship, if not Premiership, so of course it's a Club I want to be involved with.

"It's clear to see how quickly this Club is progressing, it could be one of the biggest in the country in five or six years, so it's great that the manager and the Chairman have shown so much faith in me and want to make me part of it."

After scoring 13 goals in his breakthrough season last term, Baldock has maintained an excellent strike rate under the guidance of manager Paul Ince - firing eight in just 10 starts so far this campaign.

Sam's excellent form for the Dons has seen him internationally recognised with England Under-20s.

He has already racked up 73 appearances in a Dons shirt and is a huge favourite with supporters at stadiummk.

Dons boss Ince said: "I'm over the moon, securing a player of Sam's potential is a massive signing for the Club and a clear indication of where we want to go in the long-term.

"I'm sure a lot of Clubs will have looked at him, but Sam loves it here, he can see the future is bright in Milton Keynes and, as a home grown boy, the fans love him.

"He's still a young lad with a lot to learn, but this is the best place for him and under the tuition of myself, Karl Robinson and Alex Rae, I'm sure he will get even better."

Dons Chairman Pete Winkelman added: "Sam is one of the most promising English strikers of his age and, as a one of our own, we're incredibly excited that he is going to be part of our long-term future.

"Over the last two seasons we have started to see his undoubted talent begin to bear fruit and I've no doubt this is only the beginning of a long and successful career."