Jack Sparkes has put pen to paper on his first professional contract having turned 17 today.
The youngster has already made three first-team appearances this season and scored his first goal for the club in a match against Yeovil Town.
Manager Paul Tisdale has been helped in his ability to sign Jack on professional terms by the club’s 1931 Fund – a group of supporters who raise money to help pay for an extra member of the first team squad.
Tis said it was a proud day for the club and Jack, but also his family who have put a lot of effort and commitment in over the years.
“It is important to make that point because any commitment that a young player like Jack makes is matched by his family over a long period of time,” said Tis. “So it is a proud moment for the club, and its academy, for Jack but also for his parents.
“Jack can now settle into building a professional career. This is the first step, but there is a lot of hard work ahead of him which I’m sure he will approach in the correct manner.
“He has already participated and contributed in first-team action this season. So it is no surprise, at our first opportunity, we have turned him into a professional.
“That has been aided by the 1931 Fund who tremendous job in the fundraising that they do.”