Academy contract update

We are delighted to announce that Matthew Craig, Michael Craig, Dermi Lusala and Romaine Mundle have signed their first professional contracts with the Club.

Matthew, who turned 18 last month, has featured in 21 of our 22 matches in the Under-18 Premier League this season to date, either in central midfield or at centre-back, while also appearing twice in the FA Youth Cup.

His identical twin brother Michael returned from a lengthy spell out injured in September, 2020, and has made 18 appearances in all competitions in central midfield for our Under-18s this season, scoring once, while also stepping up to play twice for our Under-23s in the Premier League 2.

Matthew and Michael have signed contracts that will run until 2023.

Right-back Dermi, 18, has played 10 times in all competitions for our Under-18s so far in 2020/21, scoring once, and made his first appearance for our Under-23s in a 1-0 victory at Arsenal in September, 2020.

Attacking midfielder Romaine turned 18 last month and has scored three goals in 21 appearances across all competitions for our Under-18s this term, in addition to featuring twice for the Under-23s.

Dermi and Romaine have signed contracts that will run until 2022.

Academy Manager Dean Rastrick said: "We’re delighted that another four members of our second-year group have earned their first professional contracts with the Club. In the case of all four players, this is testament to the hard work and dedication, with the support of their families, that they have shown over the years in our Academy. This is the first rung of the ladder towards their senior careers and I, along with the Academy staff, look forward to seeing how they progress and develop over the seasons ahead.”