George Langston, the son of former Watford player Matthew, has followed in his father's footsteps by signing a professional deal at Vicarage Road.

The 17-year-old put pen to paper on his first pro contract on Friday, which will run until the summer of 2022. 

After signing his deal, the young defender told the club website he hopes to emulate first team centre-back Craig Cathcart both on and off the pitch.

"You see Cathcart in training and every day he is so professional," said Langston. 

"I look at him and try to model myself on him. He does his job nine times out of ten and I think that's the way I try and get in the first team. Signing the contract is just the start. I want to be training with the first team and try to get in the squad as soon as I can. The main priority is to get in there and stay there.”

George's father Matthew signed a professional contract with Watford back in 1998 before going on to represent the likes of Barnet, Stevenage and Histon, where he scored a memorable winning goal in a shock FA Cup victory over Leeds United.

George said he had a unique relationship with his old man and that to sign his first professional contract at the same place his father did 21 years ago is a proud moment for all of his family.

“Me and my dad have a special bond,” said the teenager.

“He has helped me a lot over the years and I want to say a special thank you to him. He watches all the games and gives me little pointers, that extra bit of help that I don't think others get. This contract is a proud moment for me and my family."

The professional contract is just the latest in a string of highlights for Langston during his time as an academy player with the Hornets.

Last season he played a part of the FA Youth Cup squad that made it through to the semi-final of the competition.

The former Kings Langley School pupil described his participation in that cup run as a special moment.

“I'm always getting on my mum's nerves as I'm staying behind at training for a couple of hours, getting that extra yard and getting that little bit better," he said. 

"It paid off last year, getting in the Youth Cup squad.

“It was a surprise to be picked. I was still at school and the coach said, 'Come and grab some food' ahead of the Birmingham game. I thought would just be the 18th or 19th man and that I would just sit in the stands, but we had a team meeting and all of a sudden I was in the team. I had to get my head round it and managed to play a part in a big win. The cup run was a special one. It was just a shame about the result at Anfield.”

After a brief spell with Spurs as a youngster, Langston joined the Hornets at Under 12 level and has never looked back.

With a lot of Watford supporting friends and family in his life, he now has hopes of going on to impress them all by featuring for the first-team at a packed out Vicarage Road.

"I was at Spurs from eight and then got released at Under-12s,” he said.

“One of the Watford scouts asked if I wanted to come and have a six-week trial. It was perfect as I'm a local lad and it was easy for my family. I enjoyed the first couple of days so much and I really started enjoying my football again.

"That's the key for me: if I'm enjoying my football I play a lot better. I'm a local lad and all my mates are fans so it means that little bit more to play for this club. Hopefully one day I'll be playing at Vicarage Road in a full stadium.”