Seventeen-year-old Osaze Urhoghide has been rewarded for his progress through the ranks with a professional contract at AFC Wimbledon.
The centre-back, who joined Wimbledon after making his mark in Sunday League football with CB Hounslow, proudly signed on the dotted line at the club this afternoon.
After featuring for the first-team during pre-season, Osaze has continued his progression with impressive displays for the Under-18s and the development squad.
Academy Head of Football Mark Robinson said: "The great thing is that Osaze is the humblest lad I have ever worked with. He is such a great learner and he gets better by the month. It has been a pathway: he has been great for the Under-18s during the last couple of years and he thoroughly deserves his contract.
"I've played him in midfield a lot this season because technically I wanted to improve him, so that he would make more decisions on the ball. I would like to think that helped him and when he stepped back to centre-back he looked more comfortable on the ball. He is definitely a centre-back, but he can also play at right-back as well."
Osaze summed up his delight shortly after signing his first pro deal. "I am so happy about it. Ever since I was young this is what I wanted to do. When I was at school I would say, 'I want to be a footballer'. Now the day has come. I know there is a lot more to do and it gets harder, but I'm really happy that this day has come. I look up to Anthony (Hartigan) because he has earned first-team opportunities and he's taken them. If I do what he has done then hopefully I can get a first-team opportunity and take it."
Osaze is pictured above with Academy Manager Jeremy Sauer (left) and Mark Robinson.
You can watch Osaze being interviewed by Rob Cornell via the link below with Mark also talking in more depth about his development.
All at AFC Wimbledon congratulate Osaze on signing a professional contract.