Western United has tied down two more exhilarating young Academy talents to professional terms with Jordan Lauton and James York signing scholarship deals with the Club.
The pair have been bossing midfields in NPL and VPL competitions ever since they joined the Western United Academy.
Their continued development led to both players earning their Isuzu UTE A-League Men debuts within a week of each other at the beginning of this year.
WATCH: Western United young guns on fire with the Young Socceroos
Both players made their professional bows in Tasmania, with York first coming off the bench against Western Sydney Wanderers and Lauton following suit against Sydney FC.
While playing predominantly in midfield, both players continue to show their maturity and versatility in senior football, with York filling in at full-back and centre-back across the VPL 1 Men season.
Joining the revolution of talented youngsters at Western United, Lauton and York are both setting their sights on making further inroads into John Aloisi’s squad.
“I’m buzzing to sign the contract for my first pro deal – it’s every footballer’s dream,” Lauton said.
“I’m really grateful to have made my debut last season and I’m obviously really committed to hopefully playing many more games.”
York added:
“I’m super excited because getting a contract at this Club is something I’ve been working towards for a while.
“The Club has put so much faith in youth which has definitely been felt by all the boys as a motivation to work hard, as the opportunities are there.”
Western United General Manager of Football Mal Impiombato highlighted the work of the Club’s Academy structure in nurturing both players over a number of years.
“It has been fantastic to see both Jordan and James benefit from the training and development opportunities in our Academy over three years in that environment,” he said.
“They have provided an example for their peers in the Academy of working on their craft and taking their opportunities when being brought into the first team.
“As with all of the young players that we have handed senior contracts to, we are boisterous about Jordan and James’ potential and I am looking forward to watching them grow further this season and beyond.”
Renew your membership now with Jordan and James on board
Lauton and York become the sixth and seventh Western United Academy players to sign their maiden professional terms in this off-season as Aloisi bolsters his squad with electric young talents to complement an experienced spine.
The young duo have been involved in pre-season training with the rest of the squad as the Green and Black prepares for its Australia Cup Final Rounds Play-Off fixture against Newcastle Jets on Wednesday.
