Teenager Josh Coulson has celebrated his first start for Cambridge United by putting pen to paper on a contract to 2010.

A U's supporter as a boy, 18-year-old Josh signed his first professional contract this summer and made his first team debut from the bench in the 2-2 draw at home to Halifax on 6th October.

He followed that by making his first start last week at Kidderminster, and today the club not only took up the option of a second year on his contract but extended it by a further year to 2010.

The towering Cherry Hinton-based defender paid tribute to the experience he gained playing in the CRC side in the Ridgeon's League last season, and also to veteran player-coach Mark Peters: "He helps a lot, and even in training he's always talking to me and he's really good to me.

"It would mean the world to me to have success here," he added. "I remember as a youngster watching from the stands and there hasn't been a lot of success here lately, so to get some would be good, and to be part of it would be brilliant.

"I've watched some bad times so now to be part of the good times feels even better. This year it's changed a lot with a few new faces and the team spirit is great. I'd love to keep my shirt and I'll play as well as I can."

Manager Jimmy Quinn told cambridgeunited.com, "Josh is one of a number of youngsters that we've got coming into the side.

"We have some terrific older professionals that the young lads are picking up good habits from, and Josh came into the team for his first full game at Kidderminster and had a terrific game.

"It's now up to him to make sure that every time he plays he puts on good performances like that one. He has a real future in the game if he keeps his feet on the floor and continues to learn at the rate that he is."

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