AN eight-year-old boy has been snapped up on a three year contract by Bradford City after he picked the club over arch rivals Leeds United.

Striker Ashton Corbin will line up for City's under tens side from next month after putting pen to paper on the deal with the club.

He and his family decided the Bantams was the club for him, despite them being Leeds supporters, and they also rejected an offer from another Championship club, Blackburn Rovers.

Ashton scored 54 goals in only 32 games for Bradford City's under nines last season, including a strike against Liverpool.

He has scored more than 250 goals in his fledgling football career.

Ashton, who has previously been scouted by both Huddersfield Town and York City, is the first youngster to be given a three-year deal by Bradford City's Academy since star defender Andre Wisdom, now at Liverpool, was at the club.

He will now be training every Monday and Thursday night at City Academy's training ground at Woodhouse Grove School, Apperley Lane, Bradford.

The Calverley Parkside Primary School pupil was first spotted by Manchester United scouts while playing for Calverley United aged four and trained with the club.

He will look to follow in the footsteps of previous City Academy graduates who have become Premier League players, including Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley.

His father Richard Corbin, of Fourlands Court, Idle, said: "I'm really proud of him.

"We felt at ease once we spoke to Bradford.

"He is looking forward to starting next month. We will be keeping his feet on the ground. there is a long way to go.

"There is some hard work ahead for him.

"Playing in the City first-team is a long way away for him. He will take each year at a time, that's what I will be telling him.

"He should be playing for City's under nines team but will be playing for their under tens side instead. He will be training a couple of times a week.

"It was the right decision. We felt comfortable with Bradford and feel they will be good for his progression, as long as he keeps getting better.

"I'm really happy for him.

"Bradford are a family club, they look after you. They are a big club.

"Bradford have said Ashton is the first lad since Andre Wisdom to be given a three-year contract at this age. Most of them get given one or two year contracts.

"He was training and playing with Leeds and Bradford last year."

Lewis Nightingale, head foundation phase coach at Bradford City, who discovered Ashton playing in a football tournament in June last year, said: "He is just naturally gifted with the ball at his feet.

"He is a special talent. He was a natural finisher in front of goal too.

"I will be in and around his development over the next three years."