Walsall Academy prospect Luke Pearce has been delighted with the progress he has made this season.
The 15-year-old has had quite the year having reached several milestones already this season.
He has starred for the Under 18s this season as well as stepping up to play for the reserves, where he made an impact earlier this week with a well-taken goal against Rotherham United.
Pearce has also trained with the first team on numerous occasions and was on the bench for the Leasing.com Trophy win over Chelsea Under 21s back in December.
The teenager was delighted to make his mark in the reserves with his goal against Rotherham and feels playing alongside first team players in those games is helping him improve.
“It was really good to score for the Under 23s at 15 years-old, it’s just the best feeling – there’s nothing more I could wish for,” he said.
“I think it’s improved me as a player playing with older players. They’re experienced and I’m learning from them, they’re teaching me so it’s improving me as a player all round.”
Pearce now feels that the sky is the limit for in and has high ambitions for the rest of the season.
As well as his hard work and talent, he also credited his progress to Academy manager Miguel Llera who has done a lot of extra work with him.
“I think Miguel’s helped me a lot,” he commented.
“He’s come in and has got me starting for the Youth Team and obviously I’ve been proving myself in there and because I’m in on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, he gets me in off school, he’s been working with me one-to-one after sessions, giving me extras so he’s improving me as an all-round player so he’s helped a lot.
“I’m just aiming for anything and to go as far as I can go.
“I don’t see any limits so I’m just playing my best and hoping for chances.”
It is testament to Luke's hard work in school that he has been granted permission for his extra work with Miguel and the first team.
We would like to thank his school for their continued support.
Walsall Under 18s’ game against Preston North End last weekend was postponed due to the weather.
They travel to Morecambe on Saturday in the North West Youth Alliance League.