Leon Davies signs professional contract at Cambridge United

Right-back pens new U's deal

Leon Davies has signed a three-year professional contract with Cambridge United.

The 17-year-old has been at the U’s since he was eight, having initially joined the club’s regional development centres.

Davies completed the journey through the academy to the first team when he made his debut this season, as a 16-year-old, in the Checkatrade Trophy win over Shrewsbury Town in August.

And now Davies has committed his future to United by signing a contract until June 2019.

“Leon has made excellent progress over the past 12 months and whilst there is a huge amount of development left within him physically and in his game overall, we are excited by his potential,” said Mark Bonner, United’s academy manager.

“This commitment gives him the security to continue focusing on developing his game, safe in the knowledge that we all hold the same ambitions for his progress.”

Davies, who has also appeared for the first team against Middlesbrough under-21s and Scunthorpe United this season, has now become the third scholar to sign a professional contract with United in recent months, following in the footsteps of 18-year-old striker Matthew Foy and 17-year-old defender Harry Darling.

Cambridge United chief executive Jez George said: “Our long-term vision for the success of our club is to create pathways for our best young players into the first team.

“That is why Shaun (Derry, the United manager) deserves credit in being so invested in the progress of our young players and willing to give them an opportunity in the first team.”

The contract for Davies follows hot on the heels of captain Leon Legge agreeing a one-year extention to his deal at the U’s to 2018.