George Hoddle has signed his first professional contract with Cambridge United...
The 17-year-old midfielder has been rewarded with a three-year deal following an outstanding season with the Under 18s, where he helped the team make history with their FA Youth Cup run to the Quarter Finals and winning the Terry Baker Scholar of the Year award.
Hoddle signed with the Academy as a 14-year-old from Bishops Stortford and has been one of the Club's outstanding young talents over the past few years.
"I am really delighted. It's a proud moment for me and my family," Hoddle said. "It was a really good season for myself and the team last year - the FA Youth Cup run really epitomised the group and how special it was.
"It's a really exciting time and the amount of players who have signed these contracts from the youth level shows the amount of good players we have coming through."
Academy Manager Dom Knighton said, "We are pleased to be in a position to offer George his first professional contract with the football club. It's a proud moment for George and his family, in addition to everyone who has played a part in his development up until this point.
"Since joining the Academy as an U14 from Bishop Stortford, George hasn’t looked backed and we have been delighted with his progress. The maturity that George demonstrates within his performances has been something that has always stood out, as well as his football intelligence.
"George also displays our Academy values of 'Hard work, Honesty and Humility', on a daily basis.
"We were able to expose George to his first taste of senior football with spells at St Neots & Royston Town, which he took to seamlessly and we aim to continue to stretch and challenge George this season.
"At still only 17 years old, he has a lot of development to go, and we are confident that George has the correct mindset to continue to work hard to fulfil his potential."