By David Awopetu
Manchester United have confirmed that Nigerian born academy graduate, Shola Shoretire, has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The 17-year-old forward, who has been with United since the age of nine, is another product to have emerged from the club’s Academy system.
The news caps a productive week for Shoretire, who scored a hat-trick in United U23s’ 6-4 win over Blackburn Rovers on Friday.
Shoretire was pictured next to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he penned his first professional deal, a sign of the admiration Solskjaer has for the exciting attacker.
The England Under-16 international graduated to Neil Wood’s Under-23s this season and has scored five goals, as well as creating three more, in his 13 appearances in Premier League 2, but his progress has been so rapid that he has begun training with the senior squad on a more consistent basis.
The length of the contract was undisclosed by the club.
Shoretire posted a picture of himself signing his contract on Instagram and said: “It’s a dream come true to sign my first professional contract for my boyhood club! Such a proud day for me and my family.
“Thank you to everyone at the club and to my family who have helped me get to this moment. Hard work continues!”
Shoretire will be looking to hone his talents behind the scenes and maintain his development at the club in the coming months and years.
