Wales teenage star Ryan Astley has signed his first professional deal with Everton Football Club.
The 17-year-old from Llanfair Caereinion in Powys has been hailed by the club’s Under-23s coach David Unsworth as one of their greatest ever prospects.
Centre-back Astley has been with the Toffees since he was seven was reportedly being tracked by Arsenal until being handed his professional deal.
The contract will keep Astley, who is also qualified for England, at Goodison Park until the end of the 2021 season.
Astley has already featured for Wales U9is and plays regularly for Everton’s U23s having made his debut at that age group aged just 16 last year.
“I’m so proud of him. He made his debut (for the Under-23s) last season when he was still playing at under-16 level, which is not heard of,” Unsworth told the Liverpool Echo.
“He’s come into the group, he’s playing out of position at right-back – he’s a centre-back really – and he’s been terrific.”
