Martin Young was all smiles after putting pen to paper on his first professional contract at Victoria Park.

The talented midfielder has been on the books at Pools for the best part of a decade and he's glad to see his hard work beginning to pay off.

"It's brilliant - I'm just over the moon about it," beamed Young after signing the papers on his deal.

"I have worked hard all through the Youth Team now I've got the professional contract I want to kick on and progress even further.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be offered the deal having been with the Club since I was ten years old and this means the world to me."

The 18-year-old has twice been away to America with Pools to compete in the Dallas Cup and he says that taking part in those sorts of events highlights the commitment there is to youth at the Club.

"There are loads of lads coming through at the moment and the future looks bright.

"The Club take us away to venues like the Dallas Cup because they believe in youth here and long may that continue.

"The likes of James Brown, Stephen Turnbull and Michael Maidens coming through to play First Team acts as a spur and hopefully I can be the next one."

Young made thirteen starts for the Reserves last season and six substitute appearances during which he helped himself to an impressive tally of five goals.