Jaanai Gordon has penned his first professional contract on his 17th birthday.
Peterborough United are delighted to announce that Jaanai Gordon has celebrated his 17th birthday by penning a three-year professional contract at London Road.
The talented front man, who has already tasted first team experience under boss Darren Ferguson, is the top scorer in the reserve team this season and is highly-rated by the management team at London Road.
Gordon, who has been with the club since he was 12-years-old, will spearhead the Posh attack against Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Youth Cup next Wednesday (12th). Ferguson commented:
‘We are delighted he has signed. He has a good future ahead of him and turning professional will be a day he will always remember. He has been a part of the squad, both last season and this season, we have high hopes for him.’
Gordon said: ‘I am obviously very happy to sign my first professional contract and I realise that the hard work really begins now. I have enjoyed training with the first team and it was fantastic to come on against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the season. I am very grateful for the opportunity and I aim to seize it with both hands.’
Academy Manager Dave Robertson added: ‘It is fantastic for Jaanai first and foremost and for us as a department, it is great that one of our players has signed his first professional contract. Our first team manager will give the young players an opportunity and that is what Jaanai has now, an opportunity to build himself over the next three years and be worthy of breaking into the first team.
‘Jaanai has only just turned 17, he has been with us since he was 12-years-old and he has put in a lot of hard work throughout his time here. As we have explained to him, the real hard work begins now in terms of kicking on and progressing as a professional footballer.
‘The manager and chairman Darragh MacAnthony have been extremely supportive of our young players and for us as a department, that is fantastic,’ Robertson said.