England Under-19s batsman Joe Root has signed his first professional contract with Yorkshire - a three-year deal which sees him remain at Headingley until the end of 2012 at least.

The 18-year-old scored a memorable 63 on his White Rose first-team debut against Essex in a Pro40 match in September, while he recently scooped the Player of the One-Day International Series award on England Under-19s' tour of Bangladesh.

He is expected to be selected for the age-group World Cup in New Zealand in January.

"We feel he's an exciting prospect, and he's somebody we have high hopes for," said director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon of the Sheffield-born teenager.

"He is maturing very quickly, and will hopefully learn from experiences like Bangladesh and the World Cup in New Zealand - if he gets picked."

Root is just one of seven Yorkshire youngsters who today put pen to paper to secure their immediate futures with the county.

Jonny Bairstow, fresh from a mightily impressive breakthrough season with the willow in 2009, has signed a contract extension which will see him remain at Headingley until at least the end of the 2012 campaign.

The 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman scored 592 runs in 12 County Championship matches, including six 50s - five of them being unbeaten - and a best of 84 not out against Nottinghamshire at Scarborough.

He was subsequently rewarded with the club's Player of the Year award and a place in the C group of the ECB Performance Programme, who will be based in South Africa early in the New Year.

Meanwhile, 20 year-old bowlers James Lee, of Bankfoot and formerly of Farsley, and Oliver Hannon-Dalby have also extended their contracts until the end of 2012, as has batsman Gary Ballance, 19.

Pace bowler Ben Sanderson and all-rounder Lee Hodgson, who are 20 and 23 respectively, have also added an extra year to their contracts. They will remain with the White Rose county until the end of 2011.