The Club have announced a number of new contract deals for Academy players - "The Club are delighted to announce a number of contract extensions for players from the Under-21 and Under-18 squads. Having made his bow on the bench for the Fulham First Team away at Stoke City in 2012/13, winger Charles Banya has signed a deal until 30th June 2014, with the option of another year, after he was a fixture in Kit Symonsâ Under-21 side last season. German midfielder Ronny Minkwitz has also signed until 30th June 2014, with the option of another year, having risen from captain of the Under-18 side to the Under-21s. With our Academy Under-18 side becoming back-to-back Barclays Premier League champions last season with a convincing 3-0 win over Reading at Craven Cottage, Fulham also have a number of talented young players who have now committed their futures to the Club. Striker Cauley Woodrow and American midfielder Emerson Hyndman have both signed until the 30th June 2016, while German goalkeeper Max Oberschmidt has agreed a deal until 30th June 2014. Defender Cameron Burgess has turned from scholar to professional and put pen to paper on a deal until 30th June 2015, after he impressed in the Scotland Under-20 squad at the ADO Den Haag Youth tournament in Holland this summer, while Tom Richards has signed until the 30th June 2014, with the option of another year." Source: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/july/10/new-deals-for-young-whites That pretty much tidies up the situation for all of the U21 players. There is one exception though - so far as I'm aware Sean Kavanagh's contract ended this summer (2013). I can't believe this deal hasn't also been done. The position with the U18s is the same, with one outstanding, as it were - Dan O'reilly. In the case of Cauley Woodrow this is not renewing his contract but in fact giving him a new one for 3 years. The only other 'omission' is Pat Roberts - I thought he had signed professional papers when he turned 17 a month or so ago. It may be that the Club have simply seen that as a previously done deal but I mention it because there have been rumours of Man United trying to pinch him. That would disastrous not least he would go for the paltry "Elite fixed fee".
Watch this space - he's 17 on Friday. Here's a link to an interview with his old club, PSG, last week: http://www.lestitisdupsg.fr/?p=12309#more-12309
You're absolutely correct, Surly. I'm sure I read somewhere that he had signed something, around April time. - unless it was just wishful thinking. I'lll have to dig into the 'archives'.
Moussa Dembele Jr has signed his first professional contract for the club, keeping him under contract until the summer of 2015 http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/july/17/moussa-signs-new-deal?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=AllSocial&utm_campaign=TB
A number of youngsters have signed Sholarship Agreements. There's some serious talent in this group, who will be at the nucleus of the U18 side. Tops among them are, Pat Roberts (that clears up the query about him, Surly), Wes McDonald and Marek Rodak (who was exceptional in the Dallas Cup). The full list is - Wesley McDonald - “Wesley came to us from Crystal Palace at the age of 12 and is one of a number enrolled at Coombe School*. He is a central midfield player who always looks to break the play up and get us moving forward; he can chip in with a goal or two as well. He recovered from a very nasty knee injury last year when he had to have an operation and was out for six months, but he’s recovered in time to be fit for the start of the season which is encouraging.” Magnus Norman - “A goalkeeper who has been with the Club since he was 10-years-old, Magnus is a local boy. He’s always been a prominent goalkeeper in his age group and his younger brother Felix is also with us at the Academy.” Aaron Redford - “A striker who has progressed through the Coombe School programme and has had a lot of injury problems. He suffered a difficult injury to his ankle and then his back, so he is not in full training but he is starting to make progress. When fully fit he’s quick and a good runner who is good at stretching defences and getting into positions to score.” Patrick Roberts - “Pat played a lot for the Under-18s last year and also made the step to play for England Under-16s in the Victory Shield competition amongst others. He is a very talented wide player and can also play in the number 10 role.” Josh Smile - “He came to us from Oxford United at 14-years-old and is another to be enrolled in the Coombe School. He’s a central midfielder who sits deep and has a nice eye for a pass to move the team forward.” Mehki Leacock-McLeod - “He is from Chiswick and has been with us for a long time. Mehki is a wide player who is very quick and strong. He’s getting over a broken foot at the moment and is very powerful and direct. He’s skilful on the ball and also has an eye for goal.” Ryheem Sheckleford - “From Brixton, Ryheem arrived here at 14 years of age. He can play centre-back but predominantly he’s a right-back; very athletic, he gets up and down the line very well and he is a strong defender.” One player has also been brought into the Club from outside of the Academy, Slovakia goalkeeper Marek Rodak from MFK Kosice. - “We brought Marek in last year on his 16th birthday from Slovakia. He established himself as the number one goalkeeper in the Under-18s last year and also played for the Under-19s at the Dallas Cup. He walked away with two winners’ medals in two months, so he will be looking to continue his good start at the Club.”
