Republic of Ireland U19 international Callum Cockerill-Mollett has signed a new contract with Walsall, keeping him at the club until at least the summer of 2019.
Cockerill-Mollett put pen-to-paper on his first professional contract with the club last August and has now signed fresh terms, with an option for an extra year.
The 18-year-old has made two appearances for the senior side and both came in the Checkatrade Trophy last season, with the youngster starting in the 5-2 victory at home to Grimsby Town and in the 1-0 win at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.
Cockerill-Mollett has five international caps in total. He made four appearances for Ireland’s U18 side and made his debut for the U19s - following in the footsteps of teammate Liam Kinsella in doing so - against the Czech Republic in September.
“I’m really excited to extend my stay at Walsall,” Cockerill-Mollett told Saddlers TV.
“It’s an opportunity for me to progress with another year under my belt and I’m really happy to get it done and contracted, so I’m definitely here for this season and next.
“I definitely feel like I’m progressing from when I first came here at U15/U16 level. I feel like I’ve progressed through the ranks well and I’m excited to go on and keep progressing through my career.
And Cockerill-Mollett is in no doubt that he is at the right club to progress his career further. The left-back is keen to keep learning under the guidance of manager Jon Whitney, who was a similar mould of defender in his own playing career.
“I definitely feel like I’m at the right place,” added the youngster.
“The gaffer gives a lot of opportunities to youngsters and always asks me to speak up in meetings. It proves he’s got a lot of faith in me and he trusts me to be confident, and to be myself.
“That’s a very positive thing.
“The gaffer always gives me pointers because he was a left-back and a left-sided centre-half, and that’s the same as me.
“He tells me what to do and gives me little things to help me along the way.
“The gaffer has shown a lot of faith in me, which I really appreciate it and I want to prove him right.”
Cockerill-Mollett has five caps for Ireland’s youth sides in total, and is excited about what the future may hold for him on the international stage.
“It’s obviously unreal to represent your country,” he said.
“I represent Ireland on my grandparents’ side and they’re really proud of me and always come to watch whenever I’m over there.
“It’s a really positive thing. It’s an unreal experience and when you get that email saying you’ve been called up, you get that real buzz inside!”