Young central defender puts pen to paper on a two-year professional development contract.
Peterborough United defender Harry Thomas has followed in the footsteps of goalkeeper Will Lakin by agreeing a professional development contract with the centre back penning a two-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2024.
The teenager, who joined Posh after a spell within the AFC Bournemouth Academy, has been a regular at the heart of the under 18s this term and has made the step up to the under 23s, taking that challenge in his stride.
“I am absolutely buzzing,” Thomas said. “It is a really proud day for me and my family and I am really happy. When I had the opportunity to join Peterborough United, it was one that I wanted to grasp, you only have to look into the first team to see that there is a real pathway from the Academy and the under 23s.
“I didn’t have any second thoughts when I was offered the opportunity to come to the club and I have really enjoyed it. It has been a busy schedule but a real learning curve. At under 23s, there is a much more of a physical challenge, the intensity is a bit different, but I have tried to do my best and I am learning all of the time.
“I am a defender that likes to play when I can, I look at someone like Ronnie Edwards who has done so well in the first team and it can be an inspiration. The challenge is to become a regular in the under 23s next season and keep learning and improving,” Thomas said.
Academy manager Kieran Scarff added: “Harry has all the attributes to be a real prospect for the future. He has a good attitude on and off the pitch, we have spoken with him about using his size and being aggressive in his defending and he is getting that now. We want our centre halves to be cultured when in possession and play out from the back and he has those attributes. We are looking forward to helping him develop over the next few years.”
