We are delighted to announce that 'One of our Own' Ed James has signed a one-year contract to extend his stay at SJP until the end of the 2025/26 season.
The 19-year-old defender who has spent much of the season on loan at Weston-super-Mare and Dorchester Town, has added an extra year to his current contract, which already had one year remaining.
Ed made his first team debut in October 2022 against Southampton in the EFL Trophy, and two weeks later made his EFL debut against Oxford United, the same day Sonny Cox scored his first professional goal.
While Ed's only first team appearance this season was in a 5-0 defeat to Arsenal U21's back in October, he has been exposed to first team football on several occasions and has regularly been training with the senior squad throughout the campaign.
"I'm really really happy, it gives me more time to work on myself," Ed said.
"For a lot of players towards the end of the season it can be a scary time as you're rushing yourself to earn another contract, but this gives me that security and time to keep on improving.
"I feel like I have had a really good loan this year and kept on getting better and I think that is a big part of why I have been offered the contract. The loans are really important, I've had a lot of men's football and that has helped me a lot.
"I feel like next year I will be really comfortable in the game."
Manager Gary Caldwell added: "Ed has had a very good first season in and around the first team squad. He will be the first to tell you he found pre-season very tough, but he showed his character and really dug in and worked hard.
"Right throughout the season there has been constant growth and improvement in aspects of his game. We have extended beyond his year because we feel centre-halves are a really strong position in the team and to develop Ed will be really important.
"We don't want to push him too quickly."
Hear the full interview with Ed ⬇️
