Youngster Ben Challinor agrees professional development contract.
Peterborough United are delighted to announce that midfielder Ben Challinor has put pen to paper, signing a one-year professional development contract with the club, that will come into full effect on July 1st.
Challinor, who has been with the club since 2013, has progressed through the age groups and has been a key component of Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s side this season as the under 18s lifted two trophies and finished third in the table.
The midfielder was joined by his family at the idverde Training Ground to sign the Professional Development contract and reflected on the latest campaign, including a few appearances for the under 21s.
“It’s a really proud moment for me and my family,” Challinor added. “All the hard work I have been doing in training and games, I’m just glad it has paid off. I can only thank my family for helping me get to this point, taking me to train late at night and getting up early to travel to games, so I can only thank them.”
“It’s also brilliant to have the faith shown in me by the club, that gives me more confidence to keep pushing on and improving. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without Kieran [Scarff], Jamal [Campbell-Ryce] and all the coaching staff. We had a tough start to the season for the under 18s, but we went on an eleven-game winning streak and went on to win two cup finals, so I’m delighted with how the campaign went.
“It was also good to get a few minutes for the under 21s and hopefully next season try and push on and get more as it will help me to continue my development. I will be working hard in the off-season to give me that opportunity.”
Academy Director Kieran Scarff said: “Ben has been with us for a long time, which is great to see players progressing through the programme. He really started to his feet as a youth team player towards the end of his first year as a scholar, he started to get plenty of game time and his belief then started to grow. Ben is strong on either foot and has physically developed, becoming far more effective from a physical point of view as well as his technical ability. His progression and application deserve an opportunity and we are delighted to give him that chance."
