Kyron Stabana highlighted the role his family have played in what he has described as a ‘hugely enjoyable journey’ after putting pen to paper on his first professional contract at Derby County.
The young full back has signed a one-year deal with the club following a successful scholarship which regularly saw him line-up for the Under 21s squad.
Having had a number of opportunities to impress, both at club and national level, since joining the Rams at the age of seven, he is determined to grasp his next chance – now as a fully-fledged professional.
Speaking to Rams Player HD, Stabana said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for myself. I would like to thank my family, my team mates for helping me get to this stage and the club for giving me this opportunity.
“It’s been a long road from when I signed my first contract with Derby at the age of seven.
“Travelling from Leicester every day has been a lot of hard work for my dad, in general, though, there has been a lot of hard work on and off the field, but it’s been a hugely enjoyable journey.
“It’s been a very good two years as a scholar. I have had a lot of opportunities here at Derby, but I have to grasp this opportunity of being a professional with both hands and take it further.”
As well as captaining the Under 18s on a number of occasions this season, Stabana’s form saw him called up to Derby’s Under 21s squad on a number of occasions throughout their promotion campaign.
He says that promotion has capped off what has been a fine year and reserved praise for his team mates for helping him quickly adapt to the step up in quality.
“Playing Under 21s football has been a tough step up, but all the lads in the team have really helped me integrate into the group,” Stabana said.
“It’s been a good season. I have been involved with the Under 21s, they are a great group to be involved with and we managed to get that promotion as well which has capped off a great year on a personal and collective note.”
Next season will see the group test themselves against the best Under 21s in the country, including the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
Assessing the challenge, Stabana is in no doubt that Derby will show that they can mix it with the best in the Barclays U21 Premier League – Division 1 next campaign.
He added: “It will be a tough test next year with us playing against the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, but I am in no doubt that we will be able to mix it with the best.”
