A CREDITON young man is among three to have recently been offered two-year professional contracts with Exeter City Football Club’s Under 18’s side.

Josh Key, Joel Randall and Harry Kite all earned the professional deals after a successful season that saw the Under 18’s squad win the Youth Alliance South West Division title by seven points.

Harry started playing football for Crediton Saints in the Exeter Friendly League at the age of five.

He joined the Exeter City Academy when aged eight in the club’s under nine team.

He has since gone on to represent the club at every age group level, culminating in a first team debut against Yeovil last August at the age of 17.

Upon leaving Crediton’s Queen Elizabeth’s School, Harry took up a two-year scholarship at the academy, which he is due to complete in May.

The centre midfielder, from Queen Elizabeth Drive in Crediton, has had an impressive season and regularly plays for the clubs U23 side.

He has now been given the chance to continue his football education with the offer of a two-year professional contract with Exeter City Football Club.

Under-18s manager Dan Green expressed his delight this month when it was announced that a further three players have earned professional contracts following Jack Sparkes, who signed a pro-deal with the club back in the autumn.

“It is always really pleasing to offer players who have come through our system professional contracts,” said Dan.

“It shows younger players in the academy that if you work hard and apply yourself to the best of your ability, there is an opportunity at Exeter City Football Club.”

Kite, Key and Randall have all represented the first team this season.

Dan continued: “I think with Paul Tisdale as manager the young players know that if they work hard, there is a pathway and an opportunity to first team football.

“However, the players know that they are going to have to earn the right to be part of the first team by showing a professional attitude and a desire to learn in order to win the manager’s trust.”

Dan Green added: “Harry has been with the academy since under-8s. He is a very hard-working midfielder who has done really well when involved with the under-21s and the first team.

“Harry has shown his personality and through his competitiveness and work rate, has found a way to make himself selectable in not only the under-18s but also the under-21s.”

Alan Quick