David Cuffley Three more of Norwich City's brightest Academy prospects have joined the club's professional ranks. Dario Dumic, Sam Habergham and David Stephens have all been awarded contracts after impressing the management team.

David Cuffley

Three more of Norwich City's brightest Academy prospects have joined the club's professional ranks.

Dario Dumic, Sam Habergham and David Stephens have all been awarded contracts after impressing the management team.

The three 17-year-olds were part of the City Under-18 side that reached the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals last season and finished second in their section of the FA Premier Academy League.

Manager Bryan Gunn said the two-year deals showed the club's intention to give their Academy youngsters the chance to progress to senior football.

“It's part of an ongoing process and recognises the success of the youth team,” he said.

“These three have certainly earned their opportunity, as has Declan Rudd, who signed a new three-year contract last week.

“It proves that there is a way forward into the first team for our young players and it gives a message to all the young players coming into the club this week.”

Dumic, who has represented Denmark at under-17 level, can play at centre-back or in midfield. Left-back Habergham, from Great Ellingham, was in the England Under-17 squad at the end of last season, and centre-back Stephens, from Welwyn Garden City, has played for Wales at under-17 level.

They join other Academy youngsters including goalkeeper Rudd, Korey Smith, Tom Adeyemi, Danny Kelly, Luke Daley and Damon Lathrope in progressing to professional contracts over the past 18 months.

News of deals for the three second year scholars was announced by Academy manager Ricky Martin at yesterday's induction day at Colney.

The eight new scholars for next season are England Under-17 goalkeeper Jed Steer, Remy Gordon - son of former City winger Dale Gordon - Patrick Drmola, Ryan Oakley, Richard Brindley, Alex Stephens, David Nwaogu and Matthew Ball.

First team coach Ian Crook, also in charge of the reserves, welcomed the new recruits at Colney yesterday.