With a two-year Apprenticeship under their belts, nine Apprentices have agreed professional terms with Potteries clubs Crewe Alexandra and Stoke City.
Still celebrating their promotion to the Premier League, Stoke City announced that four of their Academy players have been handed professional contracts at the Britannia Stadium.
After an impressive season Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton, Jimmy Phillips, Tom Thornley and LFE’s very own blogger Marc Grocott have all signed one-year deals this week.
Speaking exclusively to LFE Online, Grocott (pictured above, far left) said:
“It’s a fantastic reward for me personally and for the other players at the end of a hard two-year Apprenticeship. We’re all looking forward to next season especially now following the club’s promotion.”
Academy coach Adrian Pennock told the club website:
“It’s a very proud moment, these lads have played for me all year so to see them awarded with a contract with a Premier League club is fantastic news.”
Crewe first-team coach Steve Holland has handed professional contracts to five of the club’s 2nd year Academy players and one 1st year. Luke Danville, Luke Murphy, Ashley Westwood, Chris Clements, AJ Leitch-Smith and Josh Thompson are all set to join the senior squad after signing deals at Gresty Road.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Holland said:
“It is always the hardest part of the job and we don’t take these decisions lightly. We are looking to make room in the squad because on the evidence of this season there is significant progress to be made. We don’t want to just add numbers, we want players here who will come in and make a difference.”
