Youngster Morgan Penfold has penned a professional contract at the ABAX Stadium.
Youngster Morgan Penfold has penned a professional contract at the ABAX Stadium, putting pen to paper on a long-term contract ahead of Saturday's Sky Bet League One fixture with Milton Keynes Dons.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder/striker has impressed the first team management as well as the Academy staff this term and has just returned from a successful loan spell with St Ives Town.
Penfold, who has signed a two and a half year deal with a one year option, has already made his first team debut for the club, coming on as a substitute in the Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Norwich City.
Manager Grant McCann said: "I am delighted to offer Morgan a professional contract. He has made excellent progress. He has got his head down, he has worked extremely hard and every day he improves. I think he can have a really good future."
Academy Manager Nick Sheppard said: I'm delighted for Morgan. He thoroughly deserves the chance to continue his football development with the club. He's a great lad with a tremendous hunger to work his hardest every day and that won't change on the signing of this deal.
"Morgan joined the Academy from one of our development centres when he was 10 so it's been a long journey for him to get to this point. I'd like to thank Morgan's family for all of their support and commitment to the academy over the years and to Ricky Marheineke and St Ives Town for the part they played while Morgan was on a work experience loan with them for a few months this season."
Leonardo Da Silva Lopes, who still qualifies as a second year at the age of 18, has already made 42 appearances in all competitions since being handed his first team debut. Lewis Freestone and Kasey Douglas have also been handed their first team debuts this season.