ACADEMY trio Gabe Wadsworth, Zac Hadi and Harry Ibbitson have signed their first pro contracts with City.

The three 18-year-olds have put pen to paper on initial one-year contracts.

Striker Ibbitson enjoyed a superb 2023/2024 campaign – scoring 31 goals in all competitions for the under-19s.

Keeper Hadi has acted a third-choice stopper during the season while Heath Richardson was out on loan.

Midfielder Wadsworth, whose older brother Noah was recently released after two senior sub appearances, was offered professional terms last summer.

Wadsworth said: “It is a privilege to have signed my first professional contract. 

“I am a box-to-box midfielder. I am athletic and like to get around the pitch, with a good passing range and ability to get into positions to score."

Hadi said: “It is something I have been working towards my whole life, and to do it at this club where I have been since I was nine means a lot. 

“Being in and around the first team has been great as a player and a person, learning so much every day and being able to work with people like Sam Walker and Colin Doyle. 

“I am injured at the moment but will be aiming to come back as fit as possible. I want to be involved in the first team as much I can this season, and hopefully make my debut.”

Ibbitson added: “It is important to have confidence and, after the season I have had, winning the Neil Matthews Academy player of the year award and scoring the 31 goals, things are really positive. 

“I am someone who likes scoring goals. I like the physical aspect of the game as well, and enjoy pressing from the front for the team to ensure we have the ball as much as possible."

City's head of academy Mark Litherland admitted it was a "big jump" for all three.

He said: "It is important for us to plan their pathway for the future and ensure when the first team call on them they are ready, and the supporters can see them wearing our shirt. 

“The pathway is a huge selling point for our academy in terms of recruitment.

"If you can see players coming through our academy and playing for the first team, that is really encouraging - from under-eight level right the way up to the professional development phase."