Wrexham AFC are delighted to announce four youth players have signed their first professional deals with the Football Club.
Tom Jenkins, Will Mountfield, Kai Evans and Dan Jones have all signed 18-month deals as the Club continues to build for the future.
A fifth youth team player has also been offered a professional contract, but due to COVID-19 is currently away from the club and a further announcement will be made in due course.
Youth team captain and midfielder Jenkins continues his long association with Wrexham AFC by signing, and said: “I’m over the moon. I’ve been at the Club since the age of nine and obviously it’s something we all dream of.
“It’s been amazing to have the opportunity to be around the first-team group during the season – the gaffer’s been top drawer, pushing us all the way and treating us the same as the first-team boys, who in turn have been relaying their experience on to us too.”
Jenkins’ fellow midfielder Mountfield, meanwhile, said of signing his first pro deal: “It’s a great feeling. It’s everything I wanted, I’m really pleased and I can’t wait to continue working.
“The support we have been given from the first team group this season has been really good.”
Attacking midfielder Evans added: “I’m very happy. I’m very proud, and my Mum and Dad are proud.
“The first-team, the manager have all been supportive this season, it’s been a great experience.”
Tenacious striker Jones is delighted to have signed pro terms with his boyhood club. He said: “I feel like it’s a fantastic achievement. I’ve supported the Club all my life so I’ve been very proud to progress through the ranks.
“I watched the players play every week, so to have had the opportunity this season to be around them and train with them has been great… I’m buzzing to be honest.”
Of the signings, manager Phil Parkinson said: “I think it’s a great indication from the co-chairmen that they want to build the youth structure going forward.
“There’s been a lot going at the Club as everyone knows, in all departments, and this proves to the players in the youth setup that they’ve not been forgotten. There are plans to improve the youth setup and we are working towards that - but what is key, is to keep the best players.
“Ultimately we would like to have an under-23/B team and arrange regular fixtures for them, but to do that going forward we have to keep the core of the best players.
“Those talks have been ongoing over the last couple of weeks and we’ve decided to offer pro contracts to some of the players and secure their services. Now is the opportunity to welcome those players and integrate them into more competitive games.
“I remember first game of the season, when we put Max Cleworth in the team and we discussed team selection. We felt it was good for the Club to give a young player an opportunity – and Max deserved it for his pre-season. You want to show the young players that there is an opportunity to play if they’re good enough.
“Now these young players have got pro contracts, it’s congratulations to them first of all – a lot of footballers set out at all age-group levels to become pro footballers, and it’s a very small percentage who get professional contracts.
“So that in itself is an achievement, but it is really just the first step on the ladder and the hard work really does start now. Now is the chance to step up, to push their way into our thinking and to edge towards the first team.”