We are delighted to announce that Academy graduate George Birch has committed his future to the Grecians, signing a contract extension until 2028, with a club-held option for a further year.
The new deal represents a significant milestone for the exciting young winger, whose breakthrough into the first team has been one of the standout stories of City’s 26/27 campaign so far.
George has made 15 appearances in all competitions this season, including 10 in Sky Bet League Two, providing four assists as he continues to establish himself in the senior side. His direct running, attacking intent and ability to excite supporters have made him an increasingly influential presence in the team in recent weeks.
His first league start for City came against Rotherham United on October 5, when he played a key role in securing all three points, setting up Anthony Scully for the winning goal. It was another important step in the development of a player who has worked his way through the club's Academy system to earn his opportunity on the first-team stage.
George's journey at Exeter began after arriving from Yeovil Town. While still an under-16 player, he stepped up to feature for the club's under-18s in the Youth Alliance in early 2023, demonstrating his potential at an early age.
The start of the 2025/26 season brought further progress, with George making his league debut away to Doncaster Rovers before earning his first senior start in the Carabao Cup first-round tie against Cheltenham Town.
Following a series of local loan spells to gain valuable senior experience, George returned to St James Park in January 2026, ready to take the next step in his career. He was subsequently named in the squad for City's FA Cup clash with Manchester City, coming off the bench to score his first senior goal in memorable fashion.
His superb strike against the Premier League side provided a glimpse of the quality he possesses and was a special moment for a young player who had come through the club's own development pathway.
George’s new contract is recognition of that progress and the belief the club has in his potential to develop into an important player for Exeter City in the years ahead.
Speaking about George signing his new deal, manager Matt Taylor said: “We are delighted that George has committed his long-term future to the club. He is the latest Academy player to break through onto the first-team pitch, and in recent weeks his level of performance has left us all excited about what the future holds for him at the club.
“We know there is plenty more to come from George. He has exciting attributes, he's a player who can get supporters off their seats, and he's shown that he can make a real impact at this level. The challenge now is to build on the progress he's made, continue learning and develop the consistency that will help him reach his full potential.
“We will continue to invest our efforts into George's development to give him the best opportunity to perform consistently and reach the levels that we believe he can achieve.
“On the back of captain Jack Fitzwater signing his contract extension, this is another signal of intent from the Football Club. We want to develop our own players, give young talent a genuine pathway into the first team and build a squad that our supporters can connect with. I hope fans will be excited by George's progress and what he can go on to achieve here.”
Speaking about signing the deal, George added: "It feels amazing to know that I'll be here for the coming years. It was a really easy decision for me to make; it's a club that has always believed in me all the way from youth until now, so yeah, an easy decision."
George's extension further reinforces Exeter City's commitment to developing homegrown talent and creating opportunities for Academy graduates to make their mark in the first team.