Second-year apprentice Josh Johnson has committed his future to Oxford United by penning his first professional contract, agreeing a two-year deal.
The 17-year-old featured four times for the first team last season, making his debut in the Carabao Cup against Burton Albion in August before appearing once more in the next round at QPR, as well as two outings in the Papa Johns Trophy.
Now Under-18s captain, Johnson earned another senior start last month against Premier League side Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.
“It’s a dream come true for me, becoming a professional footballer,” he told the club website. “It is all I ever wanted to do and I want to thank everyone who has helped me get to this stage, especially my parents, my family and friends and the coaches who have worked with me. That work won’t stop now, I will carry on pushing myself and hopefully get more chances in the first team.”
Karl Robinson said: “Josh is a terrific prospect. He listens to the right people, he works at his game and he loves playing football. He can play the holding role or further forward, he is good on the ball and he is another young player we think the world of here.”
