LONDON - Liverpool announced on Thursday that England midfielder Jordan Henderson has signed a new "long-term contract" with the Premier League club, which is believed to be a five-year deal.

The 24-year-old has become a key player for manager Brendan Rodgers over the last two years and is expected to succeed Steven Gerrard as captain when Gerrard leaves for Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season.

Liverpool did not reveal the value of Henderson's new contract, but British media reports suggested that it was worth around £100,000 (S$202,375) a week.

"I'm over the moon that it's finally done. There has been talk about it for a while now," Henderson, whose previous contract was due to expire next year, told the Liverpool website. "It's brilliant news for me to commit my future to this football club. I really feel that it's a good time for us to look forward to the future, with the squad we've got, the manager, the size of the club and the fans we've got.

"I really think, over the next few years, we can challenge and start winning trophies. That's the next phase; we've improved massively over the last few years, and I think the next phase for us is to start challenging for titles and trophies as well."

Henderson arrived from Sunderland in June 2011 in a deal worth around £20 million and has since made 180 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 20 goals.