Fem unggutter ble mandag presentert på Fratton Park etter å ha skrevet under på lærlingkontrakter med Pompey.
NYHETER/AKADEMI: De fem er Harry Clout, Cody Howard, Jayden Keteku, Connor May og Luke Staight.
Akademimanager Greg Miller sa følgende til Pompeys offisielle nettside etter at ungguttene var fotografert og presentert på Fratton Park:
«We are delighted to welcome five new scholars to our under-18 squad ahead of the 2023/24 season. Some of them were with the academy last season and have already experienced training and game opportunities with the team, which will have help them settle into a new full-time environment.
The scholar programme is designed to broaden the players’ understanding of the club, its traditions and the values we operate by. We want them to be invested in their educational content, life skills events and the broader learning offered by our multi-disciplinary team to ensure they take the most of this two-year programme.
We have started to get a degree of success for scholars moving to pro contracts in the past couple of seasons and hopefully these players will rise to that challenge and progress to the necessary level to do the same. I welcome them and their families to the academy and hope they enjoy this journey and all the learning that will come with it.”
Millers beskrivelse av de fem ungguttene
Harry Clout (Midfielder) – Harry only joined the club towards the end of last season and is an attack-minded midfielder with a strong ability to time forward runs well, which puts him in scoring or assisting positions. His set-piece delivery will hopefully contribute even more to the team’s success.
Cody Howard (Defender) – A centre-back who balances build-up play with defensive clearances very well, Cody contributed several headed goals for the under-16s last season. He will offer a real threat from attacking set-pieces and has shown a great attitude to learn since signing at under-15 level.
Jayden Keteku (Midfielder) – An attack-minded midfielder who can play in central or wide positions, Jayden has a vast array of skills and high level dribbling capabilities, which he uses well to support play in the attacking half of the pitch. Having signed at under-15 level, he suitably impressed for the under-18s towards the end of last season and we are looking forward to having him in the squad.
Connor May (Forward) – Connor joins us from Dundee United following a successful trial. He has versatility and this affords him the comfort of operating as a central or wide attacker. His energy levels and willingness to run into advanced forward spaces will hopefully lead to a number of goals and assists for the squad this season.
Luke Staight (Midfielder) – An energetic central midfielder who links the build phase well with the defensive unit, Luke uses his high energy and fitness levels to support attacks and also aid team-mates in defensive transition. He has been with the club since under-15 level and has already experienced under-18s football for the club.
Greg Miller, akademimanager.