Walsall Football Club are pleased to announce that midfielder Sam Perry has signed his first professional contract with the club.
Perry, 18, made his professional debut in the Leasing.com Trophy back in January against Portsmouth where he put in a Man of the Match performance against the League One side, catching the eye of Saddlers faithful, as well as manager Darrell Clarke.
The young midfielder expressed his delight at signing his first professional contract and admits that he can’t wait to get back into the swing of things and push on to what will hopefully be a successful season for him.
“I’m very happy to get it over the line,” said Perry. “I am just hoping that the season can start soon and I can push on really and hopefully get some league starts under my belt and hopefully the team can finish high this season.
“I definitely want more first team action this season, it’s what I am aiming for. I just want to be on the pitch playing games for the first team and hopefully I can establish a place in the team.
“Having had a taste of first team action last season it makes me more hungry and determined to get more now.
“Making my debut last season and getting Man of the Match made me want to play even more but I had a little set back with a minor injury but I’m all good now, so hopefully in the new season I can start getting some more game time and push on.”
And following his break in the first team, Perry highlighted that Under-18s manager Miguel Llera has been a massive influence for him.
“Miguel was brilliant last season. From my time in football, I’d have to say that he has been the best coach that I have worked with.
“He has pushed me on as a player so much this year from the start when he came in and then to the end when he believed in me and pushed me even further.”
On the news that Perry has signed his first professional deal with the club, Clarke added that with the progress that the teenager made last year off the pitch, it was only right that he was rewarded for his efforts.
"Sam is a fantastic young prospect and somebody who grew a lot last season topped of by one of the best debuts I’ve seen from a young scholar in our game against Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy.
"I've been really impressed with him on the whole and now it’s on to the next challenge of his career and that’s by working hard to try become a first team regular, I’m sure he will rise to the challenge.”