Stoke City have agreed a first professional contract with England youth defender Jaden Dixon.
The highly-rated centre-half has signed a three-year deal as he turns 17 following an eye-catching season since joining from Tottenham Hotspur last summer. He has emerged as a leading player for Stoke under-21s running out as captain on the final day, played for England at under-17s level and already been part of Stoke’s first team match day squad, named on the bench for an away match at Leicester.
He has spoken about his progress under the guidance of coaches Alex Morris and Ryan Shawcross, Dave Hibbert and Liam Lawrence and there are high hopes for his development at Stoke. He will have had no shortage of suitors but can see a pathway at Stoke, with hope he can be challenging for a senior breakthrough over the next 18 months or so.
Academy director Gareth Owen said: “For a 16-year-old central defender to come into the club and achieve the things he has in his first season is impressive.
“There is every reason for Jaden and his family to be pleased with the way his career is progressing and proud of his achievements to date. As ever, the onus remains on Jaden to continue doing all the right things, to keep progressing and to take his undoubted talent as far as he can.”
Keeper Tommy Simkin, midfielder Sol Sidibe and strikers Nathan Lowe and Emre Tezgel are all teenagers coming through the Stoke academy who have been summoned for England duty. Sidibe and Lowe made sub appearances in the Championship last weekend while Tezgel is currently on loan at MK Dons in the League Two play-offs. Simkin spent the first half of the season on loan at Solihull Moors, who reached the National League play-offs.
Dixon said: “It’s an amazing feeling to have agreed a professional contract at Stoke City.
“I have enjoyed my time here so far and I’m continuing to progress. I feel loved and wanted here and I’ve been shown a clear pathway.
“Teammates and staff have shown how much they believe in me and that has given me the confidence to perform and improve this season, as well as giving me a real determination to continue progressing in the years to come.”
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