Young midfielder Finley Welch has realised a dream by signing his first professional contract at Norwich City.
The teenager has spent seven years with the Canaries having graduated through their academy schoolboy programme before signing a scholarship in 2021.
Welch has emerged as one of the senior players in Greg Crane's under-18 side this season, scoring once and assisting on two occasions in 12 appearances in all competitions.
A central midfielder, Welch has captained the under-18s consistently and has impressed in his early season performances.
That form has culminated in the club awarding him with his professional deal - a day that caps off years of hard work.
"I'm lost for words really. It's a big moment for me and my family, a massive thanks to them," Welch told the club's official channels.
"It's always been my dream to be a professional footballer, since I was a young boy, and now that it's happened, it's just surreal.
✍️ Academy player Finley Welch has signed his first professional contract at Norwich City.
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) December 7, 2022
Well done, Finley! 👏#NCFC
"I started playing for Norwich at the age of 11, so seven years now. They've helped me develop a lot as a player and a person, on and off the pitch. I want to say a big thank you to all the staff at the club."
Welch is highly rated within the club and is a technically proficient player with an ability to relieve pressure against teams who press intensely.
The next target for the midfielder will be making the step up to the club's under-21 set-up, with his long-term aspiration being to impress Dean Smith enough to forge his way into the first-team set-up.
City's under-18s currently sit 10th in the league having lacked consistency in their opening nine matches of the season.
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