Lincoln City sign academy prospect Freddie Draper on his 17th birthday
The forward has penned a three year deal with the Imps
Lincoln City have signed academy player Freddie Draper up to his first professional deal - on the same day as his 17th birthday.
The forward has put pen to paper on a three year contract after impressing at the Imps' academy and training with the first team in pre-season.
He scored against Preston North End and Watford in the FA Youth Cup.
He said:
"It is a dream come true, I've always imagined signing as a professional and I can't wait to get started.
"It has been a tough but brilliant experience to be involved with the first-team, it has been good for me and hopefully I can keep that up throughout the season.
"I just want to get as many games under my belt this season and keep developing."
Lincoln City Director of Football Jez George said:
“Freddie is an extremely talented young player with top attributes and a top mentality. We have seen through his application every day since arriving at the club as a first year scholar a year ago that he will maximise his potential and he has really responded over the last month to the challenge of training full-time with our first-team.
"The environment created by Michael could not be better for his ongoing development, but great credit also to all the Academy staff for their work with Freddie over the past 12 months.
"I would also like to give a special mention to Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Ashley Foyle, who was so instrumental in us being able to recruit Freddie after he left Derby County 18 months ago.
“This is a brilliant and thoroughly well-deserved day for Freddie and his family. We have great belief in him, as demonstrated by signing Freddie on the longest possible professional contract at the earliest possible moment, but he knows that it is just another step on the long path to what he wants to achieve.”