Watford have announced that academy product Ryan Andrews has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The 17-year-old right back has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the option of a third.
Born in Watford, Andrews originally joined the club's youth set-up in 2012.
He progressed from the Under-18s to the Under-23s during the 2021/22 season.
Speaking to the club website after signing his first deal, he said his aim now was to try and impress new first team head coach Rob Edwards and make as much progress as possible.
"It has been a long time coming and I think over the years I have worked hard for this moment, so it’s a good milestone for me and my family," he said. "I’m really proud of how far I’ve come - it has always been on my mind to get a professional contract, but it’s just the start and the first step to becoming the person I want to be.
"That’s always the aim - to try and get as far as I can in pre-season. I feel in pre-season you can always show what you’ve got because it is a test to show the new head coach who has come in.
“It’s a fresh start for everyone to show what they’ve got. That’s the best time to get my head down and concentrate on myself. I feel like it is [a new start] here because you are playing for someone new, who hasn’t seen much of you. If you can get in the eyesight of them, you can always change their mind.”
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