Youngsters Darren Robinson, Max Bardell and Jack Thompson have committed their futures to Derby County.
The Academy trio have agreed deals to extend their associations with the club moving forward after showing impressive signs of progress in recent months.
Northern Ireland youth international midfielder Robinson, who made his senior debut towards the end of last season, has signed his first professional contract midway through his second year as a scholar until the summer of 2024.
The 18-year-old has featured twice for the first team this term in the Papa Johns Trophy, as well as picking up match minutes for Pat Lyons’ Under-21s.
Defender Bardell, who can play at right back or centre back and has penned a deal until 2025, made his first-team bow off the bench earlier this term in the Rams’ Emirates FA Cup First Round replay success over Torquay United after a lengthy spell out of action due to injury.
His impressive form at Under-21 level upon his return to fitness coincided with a positive run of form for the Rams’ youngsters and he was also on the bench for Paul Warne’s side as they defeated Newport County in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup towards the end of 2022.
England youth international goalkeeper Jack Thompson, who turned 16 towards the end of last year, has agreed a two-year scholarship which will commence ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Thompson has made a handful of appearances for Jake Buxton’s Under-18s this season while he was also called up to the England Under-16 squad for their UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round matches in October. He also took part in the pre-match warm-up with the first-team squad earlier this season ahead of the Papa Johns Trophy tie at home to Grimsby Town.
Academy Director Darren Wassall said: “To see Darren, Max and Jack commit their futures to Derby County is fantastic news.
“Alongside their undoubted abilities, they’ve shown us that they have the desire and determination to enjoy successful careers in the game. We stress that talent alone isn’t enough and they are shining examples of that.
“They all know that there’s plenty of hard work ahead moving forward, but it is encouraging for us that they see their futures with Derby County.”
He concluded: “We see potential in Darren, Max
and Jack and we’ll give them every support tool required, on and off the
pitch, to give them the best possible opportunity to be successful
here.”
The trio follow in the footsteps of young goalkeeper Harry Evans in committing their futures to the club after he signed professional terms earlier in the campaign.
