City boss Paul Lambert has reaffirmed his faith in youth by agreeing a new two-year deal with Luke Daley.
The winger-cum-striker, who was in the last season of his first pro contract, has made a decent impression since Lambert’s arrival in Norfolk.
And the Northampton-born player had no hesitation in signing on for another two-year tour of duty, with an option for a third.
The pacy 19-year-old, who has made eight appearances in total this campaign, is one of a few emerging players that the new Canary chief has shown faith in.
Daley forms part of a nucleus of Academy starlets breaking through and the player himself was clearly delighted today after securing his immediate future.
“It’s brilliant. I knew that coming to the end of this season would be the end of my current contract so I knew I had to work hard,” Daley told the club’s official website.
“I’ve been putting the work in during training and got some starts, made a few appearances and impressed the boss and I’m grateful I’ve been given a second pro contract.
“I made a few appearances last season but then unfortunately had the injury which kept me out and maybe let a few others get ahead of me.
“But I just kept on working hard and got myself back to full fitness and back in amongst it again.”
One of the happiest faces up at Colney this season has certainly been Academy chief Ricky Martin and for the likes of Daley, Korey Smith, Declan Rudd, Tom Adeyemi and George Francomb to be in the first team or sniffing around it, is some achievement for him and his staff.
And City’s ‘new signing’ admitted that having his youth team pals for company was certainly a bonus as he looks to earn a regular starting berth.
“It’s good,” he continued, as Canary thoughts slowly but surely start to turn to Monday’s humdinger of a TV clash at Leeds United.
“We all get on well and we’ve known each other for a long time now having gone through scholarship together as well.
“It’s really good to be playing with those boys in the first team and it’s all really good experience.
“Now my objective is fixing myself into a permanent position in the starting eleven. It’s good to be in and around the squad but I just want to keep developing and bettering myself as a player.”
Former Celtic hero Lambert has offered nothing but encouragement to his younger players – unlike certain managers in the not too distant past (anyone remember Tweedledum and Tweedledee?).
And the Scot had more words of wisdom for the Northampton-born forward today, while admitting that more new deals could be on the horizon for younger members of the squad.
“Luke’s worked very hard and done really, really well for us,” said Lambert, who continues to impress at all levels as City boss.
“He’s one of a number of young players coming through that we are hoping will follow suit and commit to new deals with the club.
“Luke has a lot more developing and learning still to do but he’s made a great start to his career and really does have a lot of potential if he sticks at it. I’m delighted he has signed up until at least 2012.”
Tom Haylett
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