Exeter City is delighted to announce that Liam Cartwright has signed his first professional contract with the Club.
The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year deal, with a club option of a second.
Torquay-born Liam has been part of the Academy setup since under-nine level and has progressed impressively through the ranks. He enjoyed a breakout campaign with the under-18s during the 2023/24 season, regularly playing above his age group as a 16-year-old. His development was recognised with a scholarship in 2024.
A versatile defender, Liam has featured across the back line throughout his time in the Academy, but now predominantly operates as a right-back or right wing-back. Athletic and competitive, he defends on the front foot and excels in 1v1 situations, while also possessing the energy and drive to support attacks from deep.
Liam has demonstrated an outstanding attitude during his time as a scholar and has regularly captained the under-18s. His performances and leadership were recognised when he was named the Senior Reds Under-16 Player of the Season.
This season, Liam has featured consistently for the under-21s in the Premier League Cup and gained valuable experience in men’s football through loan spells at Willand Rovers (Step 4) and Tiverton Town (Step 3).
Speaking after signing his first professional deal, Liam said: “I’m over the moon to sign. I’ve been part of the Academy since under-9s so it’s a proud moment for my whole family and one I’ll never forget.
“The Academy teach you must haves and to work as hard as you can and to believe in yourself and proving to everyone that you can do well. Credit to all the staff that have supported me and they know what they have done, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“A lot of people don’t see enough of what our parents do to support us on our journey. The sacrifices they make to take us to training and giving up time to support us to achieve. It’s a proud moment, everyone is super delighted for me and it’s a great moment to share with my family.”
Academy Director Arran Pugh expressed his delight at seeing Liam’s hard work rewarded: “We’re absolutely delighted for Liam and his family, this is a huge achievement and a really proud moment for everyone connected to his journey. Liam has been with us since the age of nine, and to see him progress all the way through the Academy into a professional contract is exactly what the programme is designed to do.
"He’s had to make sacrifices along the way, including moving from his home in Torquay and living with a host family in Exeter over the past two years. Whilst the host family have been excellent in supporting Liam and providing a second home for him, the commitment he has shown speaks volumes about his character.
"Liam has always shown a fantastic attitude. He naturally leads by example and has regularly captained the U18s, with his willingness to learn and adapt both key elements of his development. Over the years he’s played in multiple positions, and that versatility is now a real strength, with him excelling as a right back or wing back.
"His progression has been very pleasing, playing up with the U18s during his U16 season, earning U16 Player of the Season, gaining valuable experience in men’s football with Willand and Tiverton this season, and contributing regularly with the U21’s in the Premier League Cup.
"He’s an athletic, competitive player who defends on the front foot, relishes 1v1 situations, and has the energy to support attacks from deep, which fits well with the way we want to play.
"This is also a moment to recognise the contribution of all our Academy staff, who have supported Liam throughout his journey. A lot of hard work goes in behind the scenes, and this is a shared success. The Academy has a proud history of developing players capable of playing in the professional game, and the Club has been excellent over a number of years in supporting the Academy and providing opportunities for young players to flourish.
"We very much hope Liam can follow that path into the professional game, and he now needs to focus on demonstrating his fitness and competitiveness throughout pre-season to continue impressing the first team staff and players. We’re excited to see how Liam continues to develop in the next stage of his career.”