Melbourne Heart has rewarded youngster Aziz Behich for his recent good form by offering him a permanent deal that will see him remain on the club until at least the end of the 2011/12 A-League season.

The former Melbourne Victory man initially joined Heart on a short-term deal but the club has decided to give the 19-year old a proper contract after some brilliant performances at left-back.

Heart coach John van 't Schip said it was a just reward for Behich, who could be deployed in a number of different roles.

"Aziz has done well since he joined the group in pre-season, and has been prepared to play wherever the team needed him. Every week he has been taking steps forward," he said.

"It is a great reward for the effort that he is put in that he now has a longer term contract. We have no doubt he will continue to work hard and become more and more important to the group."

Behich becomes the seventh contracted player on the Heart list under the age of 20 which is a great sign for the fledgling club.