TAYLOR Kennerley has signed a contract at 1874 Northwich as the club seek to reward his performances on the pitch while also protecting a valuable asset.

The winger, who turns 21 later this week, increased his goal tally for the campaign to eight when he found the net during a 4-1 win at Abbey Hey in the Macron Cup on Saturday.

It is the sort of form that has attracted the attention of rivals, and the Guardian understands two higher-ranked sides have expressed an interest.

Kennerley’s deal reflects his improvement since the start of the current campaign and he has made close to 80 appearances – most of them starts – since making his debut as a substitute during a Cheshire FA Senior Cup clash with Nantwich in February 2017.

“Taylor’s consistency and attitude has really kicked on and he has become an important figure in our first-team,” read a statement issued by the club on Monday.

“He’s a Northwich lad, and one of our aims is to have a pathway for local players to arrive in senior football – something that has been a stumbling block in the area for a while.”

He becomes only the fifth player in the club's short history to be tied down in this way.

Teammate Scott McGowan is another.